Nicky Solis, 64, underwent a procedure at the hospital’s Essex Cardiothoracic Centre after becoming unexpectedly unwell during the summer and being told she needed a pacemaker.
Doctors realised a conventional pacemaker would not be suitable because of her powerlifting and instead fitted a leadless device directly inside her heart.
The procedure meant she was able to return to the sport and, just months later in September, she won gold at the Commonwealth Championships in Canada.
Mrs Solis had initially feared she would have to give up powerlifting altogether because of her heart condition.
She said: “The doctors took the time to ask me about my life and what I enjoyed doing.
“They were able to offer me an option that meant I could carry on powerlifting, which was such a relief as I really thought I might have to give it up.
“It was amazing to win gold, especially after so many years of hard work and training.
“It meant so much more after thinking I’d never be able to do powerlifting again.”
Leadless pacemakers are 90 per cent smaller than traditional devices and have no wires, instead being implanted directly inside the heart.
A traditional pacemaker would have sat under the skin near Mrs Solis’s collarbone, where the powerlifting bar would have rested while she was lifting.
The specialist devices can also be offered to younger patients, those at greater risk of infection and people whose lifestyles make conventional pacemakers unsuitable.
More than 100 leadless pacemakers have been fitted since they were introduced by Mid and South Essex NHS Trust in 2023.
Mrs Solis, from Bicknacre near South Woodham Ferrers, only took up powerlifting after retiring from teaching four years ago and joining a gym to stay fit.
She started weight training before discovering powerlifting and going on to compete in her age and weight category.
Dr Christine Menexi, consultant cardiologist who carried out the procedure, said: “Nicky would not have been able to continue lifting with a traditional pacemaker, which sits under the skin near the collarbone, as the powerlifting bar would have been resting in the same place.
“The advantage of the leadless pacemaker is that it is implanted directly into the heart and attached to the wall of the heart.”
