3 Footballers Who Have Experienced Similar Fates with Iker Casillas

DBasia.news –  Iker Casillas is in a stable condition and better after suffering from a heart attack while training with Porto (1/5). After getting intensive care from the hospital, his condition was fine.

Shortly after Casillas suffered a heart attack, the public of European football lovers and Casillas fans immediately gave support and prayer to the Real Madrid legend. Their support and prayers were answered by Casillas through social media.

“Everything is under control here. There was a big concern, but I was in full strength. Thank you very much for everything, for the message of support and love,” Casillas said some time ago on social media.

Casillas is not the only footballer or athlete who has suffered from a heart attack. Some of them were ‘unlucky’ and their lives were not saved. Seeing the case of Casillas, a question arises, “Why are athletes vulnerable to heart attacks?”

Logically, athletes, with a healthy life style and regular exercise, should be able to be free of heart attacks. The fact is not the case.

According to Owen Anderson in the book titled “Heart attack risks are greater for athletes who compete in endurance sports”, athletes are actually vulnerable to two serious diseases: Alzheimer’s and heart attacks.

The risk of heart attack to athletes occurs because of the increasing content called the enzyme cardiac troponin I. These enzymes increase due to several conditions, including activity and age.

The cardiac troponin enzyme will increase because of the intense activity of athletes in conducting training sessions (especially physical exercise), official matches. The enzyme will be there for at least one or two weeks. If the body or physique is unable to keep up with the increase, then it is even more risky for them to have a heart attack.

In addition to Casillas, the following three footballers have also had a heart attack. Who else?

1. Fabrice Muamba

In March 2012, Fabrice Muamba suffered a heart attack when his team, Bolton Wanderers, was competing against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. Muamba immediately rushed to London Chest Hospital.

The former England U-21 national team received intensive care in the ambulance and also in the hospital. His heart stopped beating for 78 minutes. The match was postponed at that time and also in the next match against Aston Villa.

After getting intensive care, Muamba’s life was saved and two weeks after Muamba was discharged from the hospital with a smile, giving good news to fans. In August 2012 Muamba decided to retire after getting advice from the medical team.

2. Abdelhak Nouri

The Amsterdam-born midfielder, April 2nd 1997 was one of Ajax Amsterdam’s young talents who played in the mid-2015-2017. Unfortunately, his talent could not develop further as Abdelhak Nouri was advised to retire at a young age.

On July 8, 2017, Nouri, who was only 20 years old, collapsed while playing in a test match against Werder Bremen due to a heart attack. Nouri was immediately rushed to the hospital using a helicopter and his condition was stable after receiving treatment.

However, five days later, Nouri, as reported from Ajax, suffered permanent injuries to parts of his brain. Nouri was in a coma. Nouri had regained consciousness in August 2018 and has started communicating with his family.

3. Daniel Engelbrecht

The professional footballers who spent most of his career in the lower division of German football. On July 20, 2013, while on loan from VFL Bochum to Stuttgarter Kickers, Engelbrecht, collapse due to a heart attack while competing against Rot-Weiss Erfurt.

Engelbrecht was declared to have a cardiovascular disease and had four surgeries. Engelbrecht’s heart was fitted with a heartbeat stimulator and after waiting for 17 months, he returned to playing in November 2014.

Engelbrecht became the first professional footballer to play with a pulse stimulator in his heart. The 28-year-old player has played until 2017 with Rot-Weiss Essen.