by Guest Sat Nov 05 2011, 04:52
Harry Redknapp has revealed that he suffered chest pains and was struggling to breathe before he was admitted to hospital for an operation this week. The Tottenham Hotspur manager said he had no intention of quitting and would return to work after the international break, having had two stents inserted to unblock coronary arteries.
Redknapp was released from hospital on Thursday and described the surgery as "no big deal". He said he had felt fine until a session on a running machine last Thursday .
"I have a running machine at home and run or jog for around half an hour several times a week to help stay fit," the 64-year-old told the Sun. "But this time I went on and had been running for no more than about two minutes when I felt pains in my chest. I had hardly got going when it went tight and I was struggling to breathe.
"As soon as that happens you know the best thing to do is stop immediately, which I did. I wasn't that frightened if I'm honest but it was clearly a warning sign from within. I just stopped running there and then and I went to see the club doctor at Spurs. He got me in to see a specialist on Saturday and by Monday I was in hospital.
"I've had narrow or blocked arteries for some time. I've been taking tablets for it just like a lot of people my age do. It's no big thing. They didn't even put me out.
"I was sort of half conscious while they did what they had to do and now it's all taken care of. I haven't had a heart attack. It was just that the specialist told me the arteries needed doing now.
"So we arranged it all and here I am. I feel fine and everyone tells me I will soon be feeling better than ever. You have to listen to what your body tells you. I'm lucky that I work in an industry where there are experts and specialists on hand to look after you properly."
Redknapp emphasised he would not be standing down from his job with Spurs. "This isn't going to stop me doing the job I love," he said. "I love my football and won't be walking away any time soon.I can assure everyone I'm doing OK."
He will miss Sunday's game at Fulham but intends to return to prepare for the match at home to Aston Villa on 21 November. He has been advised by his doctor to put his feet up "for the next couple of weeks", he said. "That's handy because after this weekend we have a break for international matches coming up anyway. After that I'll be back in at Tottenham and back on the training pitch."
He sought to play down what he has been through. "I have only been in hospital – and there are people in there dying and suffering far worse than me. I've been through a lot worse myself anyway when I was pulled from the wreckage of a car crash in 1990."
He added: "I guess when you get into your 60s things like this heart thing will happen. Other football managers have had heart problems and it is a stressful job. But age is also a big factor.
"Graeme Souness had a heart bypass op. Doesn't Alex Ferguson take pills for his heart? And Sam Allardyce at West Ham has had problems.
"It's just one of those things. I don't want to make a meal of it. People have sent some lovely get well messages, though, which really cheers you up."
Read more: http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=30305&posts=14#ixzz1cbXBgkU7
Thu Jan 21 2021, 20:01 by BazSpur
» Sky Sports News Links
Thu Oct 29 2020, 18:13 by DJSR
» Hello....the site is still alive!
Thu Oct 29 2020, 18:11 by DJSR
» 17 million deal for Musacchio
Fri Feb 24 2017, 18:39 by souptheyid
» How to Block Adverts on this Site !
Fri Feb 24 2017, 18:36 by souptheyid
» This is Our Season
Sun Aug 14 2016, 00:54 by vis
» 'appy New Season
Sat Aug 29 2015, 08:09 by BazSpur
» Time to say goodbye
Fri Aug 28 2015, 21:37 by Maximus
» Crouchinio
Thu Jan 15 2015, 03:00 by vis