Former professional basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabaar is sharing the experience of being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib). During a recent interview with Prevention magazine the NBA legend opened up about factors that contributed to his medical condition and how he realized his health was declining after years of maintaining a good diet and a lifetime of exercise and health habits.
“My physical symptoms began while traveling in Europe with my son, and I noticed I couldn’t keep up with him … I was short of breath, sometimes I had irregular heartbeats, and I didn’t feel good,”
When he began feeling lightheaded, Abdul-Jabaar was told to get to a hospital. “I was incredulous, namely … I couldn’t believe that someone who had lived the life I’d led, exercising and a good diet all the time, I thought that should last me for the rest of my life, but that’s not the case,” the 75-year-old stated.
This isn’t the first time the retired basketball player has battled health issues. He fought through prostate cancer and coronary bypass surgery and was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. On average one in 5,000 people are diagnosed annually with this difficult disease.
Abdul-Jabar has since worked to raise awareness regarding health issues and encourages people from all walks of life to stay tuned into their bodies and speak up about abnormal symptoms.
Cardiologist and director of research at Cooper Heart Institute Andrea Russo, M.D weighed in on Abdul-Jabaar’s diagnosis, stating that over 12 million people may be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation by 2030. People can have the sensation of an irregular heartbeat, or palpitations, heart racing, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or inability to catch your breath, fatigue, or have some lightheadedness,” she explained to Yahoo News. “So, we don’t know for sure what it is until you see your healthcare provider.”
The rate of Black people diagnosed with Afib is low compared to other communities, but it is more likely to lead to other serious health complications for Black people. High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are serious and ongoing risk factors for African-Americans, and taking proactive steps to manage these factors can help to ensure a healthy heart.
