A 55-year-old resident of Hanoi was rushed to hospital after he collapsed while playing pickleball on Monday night.

Tran Anh Thang, deputy director at the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center, said that the center received a man suspected of suffering a stroke on Monday evening.

The man had been playing pickleball for 20 minutes when he collapsed and became unconscious at around 6:10 pm.

When a team of medical workers was sent to the pickleball court where the incident occurred, the victim was in a state of cardiac arrest, Dr. Thang recounted.

The man underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 15-20 minutes before being taken to E Hospital in Hanoi.

The hospital said that the patient was receiving intensive treatment.

There is a risk associated with playing any sport, especially for individuals with cardiovascular or blood pressure issues, said Dr. Doan Du Manh, a member of the Vietnam Vascular Disease Association.

Swift movements and sudden changes in position during pickleball can put significant strain on a player's circulatory system.

"The incident occurred at night when Hanoi’s temperatures were dropping. Cold weather is a key risk factor that can increase the likelihood of a heart attack," the doctor explained.

Associate Professor Dr. Vo Tuong Kha, head of sports medicine at the VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy, recommended that residents consult a sports doctor or a cardiologist for a medical check-up before participating in any sports activities.

Before, during, or after their workout session, players should visit a doctor whenever they feel any abnormality in their health.

People are advised to avoid playing sports on a full or empty stomach, as it can negatively impact their health.

Invented in the U.S. in 1965, pickleball has rapidly become one of the world’s fastest-growing sports in recent years.

The game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.

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