Brooklyn Nets forward LaMarcus Aldridge surprisingly retired from the NBA on Thursday, posting the announcement on social media. The seven-time All-Star revealed he played his final game with an irregular heartbeat which only ultimately influenced his decision.
A heart arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat can occur for a variety of reasons, some more serious than others. An arrhythmia associated with a heart attack or structural changes within the heart can be life-threatening. However, other less severe factors, including stress, fatigue and an assortment of metabolic issues can also lead to an irregular heartbeat.
For Aldridge, this recent cardiac episode was not his first. During the final weeks of his rookie season, he experienced an irregular heartbeat and was eventually diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome, a rare condition that impacts the natural conduction system of the heart.
To better understand WPW, imagine a simple circuit with a battery and a light bulb. The battery generates a steady stream of power that helps illuminate the bulb. A heart has a similar electrical system that controls the pace at which the heart contracts and pumps blood. Instead of a battery, specialized cells generate the electrical impulses of the heart. These impulses are sent down a distinct pathway where they are able to reach cardiac muscle and elicit a contraction. These contractions allow the heart to pump.
In individuals with WPW, the simple circuit of the heart is complicated by the presence of an extra electrical pathway. This extra path can disrupt the normal rhythm of the heart as the impulses of the heart are diverted and become overloaded or disordered. Most people affected with WPW report feeling a rapid or abnormally fast heart rate, clinically known as tachycardia.
Medications can help treat arrhythmias associated with WPW but surgery is often utilized. In a procedure known as a radiofrequency catheter ablation, a catheter is inserted near the groin and up into the heart. A low-volt, high-frequency energy form is then introduced to eliminate the extra pathway.
Aldridge underwent ablations in 2007 following his initial diagnosis and prior to the start of the 2011 season. Both procedures occurred while he was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. He also reported an arrythmia in March of 2017 while with the San Antonio Spurs. Unfortunately, his latest episode was enough to force Aldridge to leave the game he loves. In his statement, he simply said, “it is time to put my health and family first.” Here’s to hoping Aldridge enjoys retirement and is able to spend quality time with his family and friends.