Didak to undergo cardiac tests

[Danny]

Initial ECG tests have indicated no cause for alarm. He will undergo further tests this week, Collingwood are confident he will be ok to play 'quite soon' (meaning this weekend I would think)

Didak resting in hospital
7:42:23 PM Sun 7 August, 2005
Jennifer Witham
Sportal for afl.com.au

Collingwood goal sneak Alan Didak is resting in hospital on Sunday night after collapsing on the field during the six-point loss to the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome.

Didak almost fainted late in the first term after suffering from dizziness and light-headedness, and was assisted from the ground. He did not return to the field.

It was later revealed Didak was also suffering from an irregular heartbeat, which was described by club doctor Paul Blackman as a 'near syncope'.

"He'd been involved in a fairly active period of play not long beforehand, but the ball had gone up the other end, and he felt quite dizzy and unwell, initially just for a few seconds and he had to come off the field," Blackman said.

"He was fine by the time we got him to the rooms. We suspect he may have had a few irregular heartbeats, and we've just sent him off to hospital for an ECG and some blood tests to make sure there is nothing else of concern."

Blackman said Didak had no family history of heart problems, nor is the forward on any medication or suffering from any illnesses. He also denied Didak's condition was assisted by the use of caffeine tablets.

While any form of heart irregularity is yet to be diagnosed, Blackman said other players with similar conditions have been able to continue playing football with the assistance of medication.

And with Didak's initial ECG coming back normal, Blackman said there was a chance Didak could be back playing soon, subject to further testing.

"Athletes when they're exercising at high intensity, it's not uncommon to have irregular heartbeats when you're working very hard. It may in fact be that's all it is, but obviously with the heart, you've got to be sure," Blackman said.

"At this stage, we'll wait until the results come through, and he'll be seeing a cardiologist during the week for a few more sophisticated tests. Providing they're normal, he'll almost definitely be able to come back to football fairly soon."

[sydunisportsmed]

Even though caffeine use was denied in this case, the trend towards blanket usage of caffeine and pseudoephidrine at some clubs is going to lead to more of these cases occurring.