Oudin Diagnosed With Heart and Eye Conditions
American Melanie Oudin will have an operation Thursday for a heart condition, she told the Associated Press Wednesday. She was diagnosed with a form of arrhythmia last month as well.
The 23-year-old also said that she will also have surgery next month for an eye problem she has been dealing with.
“I don’t think my luck could get any worse,” said Oudin. “I just can’t wait for 2014 to be over. A heart thing this week, and then an eye thing after that. I have lots going on.”
The 2009 U.S. Open quarterfinalist said that she has been experiencing occasional episodes of an accelerated heartbeat, most often during or after matches. She went in for a medical check on her heart last year, but the doctors told her that everything was normal.
“I was convinced it was some sort of anxiety,” said Oudin. “It’s been really frustrating. I played through matches having it, because I never really knew what it was. I would try to relax and take some deep breaths and let my body relax, and then I felt better. It kind of sounds like an anxiety attack.”
Late last year, she was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a muscle-damaging condition which can be cause by intense exertion, but was told by doctors there was no connection between this condition and her accelerated heartbeat.
“We are hoping that after I have this, hopefully I’ll never, ever have to deal with it again,” said Oudin. “I’ll never have to deal with it during matches; of course it’s been in my head. I feel terrible when it happens and I’m trying to play.”
She said she hopes to return to the court in a couple of weeks, but will wait until she is 100 percent recovered.
