Dodgers Pitcher Kenley Jansen: “I Could Have Had A Stroke”
Cardioversion again restored Jansen’s heart rhythm, but it meant more time on blood thinners and more time away from baseball. Doctors suggested ablation, a procedure used for arrhythmias when long-term medications or cardioversion are either not preferred or not effective. During ablation, doctors insert a thin catheter to deliver energy, such as radiofrequency, laser or cryotherapy, to basically scar the problematic areas of the heart and help restore it to a more normal rhythm.
Jansen successfully underwent ablation in October 2012. Although AFib is a permanent condition, he hasn’t experienced further symptoms and he’s back to full strength on the mound.
These days, Jansen doesn’t take his health for granted. His AFib diagnosis helped him become more aware of the importance of family health history.
In addition to his father’s AFib and subsequent stroke, Jansen has a family history of high blood pressure and diabetes — both risk factors for AFib. Jansen’s blood pressure is elevated and he takes medication to keep it within a healthy range.
“I’ve learned a lot about the heart,” Jansen said. “We should take care of our bodies, especially our hearts. You have only one.”
The irregular heartbeat that nearly derailed Jansen’s health in 2011 also threatened his baseball career. He hesitated to say anything when his symptoms first started, worried it would sideline him.
But now he warns the consequences of not speaking up could be much worse.
“Young athletes take stuff for granted. We need to listen to our bodies. Sometimes your body is making signals to you, and you try to avoid it. Now I’m very aware,” Jansen said.
“I feel like now, in my life, I’m playing defense with my body. My message is when you feel something like that — anything — just say something. If I hadn’t said something, I could have had a stroke.”