The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Eilish speaks out on heart problem
Commonwealth athlete Eilish McColgan has spoken for the first time about a lifelong battle with a heart condition that saw her hospitalised during a trip to Qatar. The Tayside runner last night revealed she has suffered heart palpitations for as long as she can remember and used to clasp her chest as a 12-yearold on trips to race meetings. Writing in her online blog, the Scottish steeplechase star told how she was rushed for emergency treatment following an episode in Doha, Qatar, earlier this year.
COMMONWEALTH athlete Eilish McColgan has spoken for the first time about a lifelong battle with a heart condition that saw her hospitalised during a training camp.
The Tayside runner last night revealed she has suffered heart palpitations for as long as she can remember and used to clasp her chest as a 12-year-old on trips to race meetings.
Writing in her online blog, the Scottish steeplechase star told how she was rushed for emergency treatment following an episode in Doha, Qatar, earlier this year.
“I struggled to get to sleep one evening with my mind going into overdrive,” the 23-year-old said.
“I eventually got to sleep at around 3am but was abruptly awoken by my chest thumping.
“Initially, I thought it was just my normal palpitation but unfortunately this one was different — it didn’t stop.
“I tried to get up from my bed and almost collapsed.
“My heart felt like it was going 100 miles an hour.”
Eilish and her mother, former Olympian Liz McColgan, called the UK Athletics doctor who said she should attend hospital.
A scan revealed a racing heartbeat and erratic blood pressure.
“The doctor said he was going to have to stop my heart and re-start it again,” Eilish said.
“However, it then came to his attention that the resuscitation room was full and so I would have to be moved to another hospital.
“He asked if I had taken out medical insurance to which I burst out into tears.
“I only booked my flight the evening before I left and so medical insurance wasn’t on my radar at all.”
Eilish was prescribed a type of betablocker and decided to book a flight home.
She went to London to see a specialist, however he couldn’t explain the attack.
She added: “I now have some tablets which I carry with me at all times in case it ever happens again.”