\n Nicky Solis, 64, from Bicknacre near South Woodham Ferrers, won the top prize at the Commonwealth Championships in Canada in September.\n<\/p>\n
\n She feared she may have to give up the sport after becoming unwell during the summer, when she was told she needed a pacemaker to correct a very low heart rate.\n<\/p>\n
\n Nicky said: “The doctors took the time to ask me about my life and what I enjoyed doing.\n<\/p>\n
\n \n “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.\n<\/p>\n \n “Powerlifting is really important to me, both mentally and physically.\n<\/p>\n \n “It was amazing to win gold, especially after so many years of hard work and training.\n<\/p>\n \n “It meant so much more after thinking I’d never be able to do powerlifting again.\n<\/p>\n \n “To come back and get Commonwealth gold was a dream come true and one of the proudest moments of my life.”\n<\/p>\n \n Specialists at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) ruled out a standard pacemaker because of her active lifestyle.\n<\/p>\n \n Instead, they fitted a leadless pacemaker, which is 90 per cent smaller than a traditional device, has no wires and sits inside the heart.\n<\/p>\n \n Leadless pacemakers suit active patients like Nicky, for whom conventional devices are impractical.\n<\/p>\n \n They are also used in younger patients and people at greater risk of infection.\n<\/p>\n \n Dr Christine Menexi, a consultant cardiologist at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, 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.\n<\/p>\n \n “The advantage of the leadless pacemaker is that it is implanted directly into the heart and attached to the wall of the heart.”\n<\/p>\n \n More than 100 leadless pacemakers have been fitted since the technology was introduced at the trust in 2023.\n<\/p>\n \n Nicky took up powerlifting after retiring from teaching four years ago.\n<\/p>\n \n She joined a gym to stay active, took up weight training and went on to compete in her age and weight category.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPowerlifter Nicky Solis (Image: Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust)<\/em><\/span>\n<\/p>\n