J.J. Watt announced that he is playing through a medical issue ahead of his Week 4 game against the Panthers.
The veteran Cardinals defensive end took to Twitter to announce that he had been dealing with A-Fib — a common abbreviation of "atrial fibrillation", which is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat.
Despite the diagnosis, which occurred on Wednesday, Watt is set to play after having his heart "shocked back into rhythm" Thursday.
I was just told somebody leaked some personal information about me and it’s going to be reported on today.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 2, 2022
I went into A-Fib on Wednesday, had my heart shocked back into rhythm on Thursday and I’m playing today.
That’s it.
CBS Sports' Josina Anderson reports that Watt will look to further address the issue after his Sunday afternoon game.
My understanding is JJ Watt is currently expected to address the health situation he tweeted about this morning regarding his heart after the game, as of this tweet. Sounds concerning, but good that Watt discussed it direct to the masses before a widespread leak. #Cardinals
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 2, 2022
It's unclear what Watt's postgame treatment options may be, so it remains to be seen whether the Cardinals veteran will miss any time.
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What is A-Fib?
As mentioned, A-Fib is a commonly used abbreviation for "atrial fibrillation", which is a type of irregular heartbeat. Per the Mayo Clinic, an A-Fib heartbeat is "often very rapid" and during it, the heart's two upper chambers "beat chaotically and irregularly," putting it out of sync with the two lower chambers.
The symptoms of A-Fib include the following, per the Mayo Clinic:
- Sensations of a fast, fluttering or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
There are different types of A-Fib that a person can experience. That can be occasional, persistent (short and long-term) or permanent.
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It isn't clear which type of A-Fib Watt experienced. Nor is it clear what symptoms he may have experienced to lead him and the Cardinals to uncover this issue.
But obviously, Watt and the team will have to approach the situation with care. And while the team feels comfortable with him playing in Week 4, they will have to take a hard look at the 33-year-old's long-term status after this contest.
