After suffering a heart attack himself, tennis great Todd Woodbridge is encouraging people to have their hearts checked after he became the latest celebrity in their 50s or older to have one.
On Thursday, Woodbridge, who is otherwise healthy and active, said that he was taken aback when he began feeling symptoms.
The former top-20 singles player and 16-time Grand Slam doubles winner works out on a daily basis in the gym he has at his house in Melbourne, and he also stays active by commentating at events when he is away from home.
“I tried to keep my routine having travelled to the US Open and London and I was just exercising and had chest pains and every symptom when you look up Google – full sweats and I felt awful,”’ Woodbridge said.
Shane Warne, a cricket star, passed away earlier this year at the young age of 52 after suffering a heart attack in Thailand. Woodbridge, on the other hand, overcame his terrifying experience.
A unexpected heart attack claimed the life of Labor senator Kimberley Kitching in March at the same age she had passed away.
Former Australia cricket coach Darren Lehmann survived a heart attack on his 50th birthday in 2020, while Essendon AFL premiership player Dean Wallis had surgery this year after suffering a massive heart attack at the age of 52.
Because both of Woodbridge’s brothers passed away when they were in their 50s, he is very careful about his own health.