It is a common misconception that celebrities are immune to serious illnesses and health problems. However, this could not be further from the truth. Just like regular people, celebrities also battle serious diseases and deal with health concerns daily.
One condition some celebrities battle is Wolff Parkinson’s White Syndrome. It is a condition that completely alters a person’s way of life as they must always keep their health in check.
What is WPW Syndrome?
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome is a cardiac condition that impacts the heart’s electrical system. In a healthy heart, electricity flows through in an organized manner, ensuring it beats regularly and functions efficiently.
However, when this syndrome occurs, an additional pathway exists that causes the electricity to move at an accelerated pace, which can result in an irregular or rapid heartbeat, also referred to as arrhythmia. This can create symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or fainting.
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome is named after the doctors who discovered it in 1930: Louis Wolff, Sir John Parkinson, and Paul Dudley White.
While it is a relatively uncommon condition, affecting only one to three people in every 1,000 people, it can be a serious health concern for those who have it.
Below are celebrities who have been diagnosed with this condition.
Celebrities Who Have Suffered From Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
1. Jessie J
Jessie J is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She was born in London, United Kingdom, on March 27, 1988. She first gained fame with her debut single “Do It Like a Dude” and her album “Who You Are” in 2011.
Jessie was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome at the age of 11, right about when she began her career on stage. The condition has had a huge impact on her career. In 2015, she was forced to cancel multiple live performances after her doctors recommended that she tone down on her live shows. In her case, she inherited the condition from her father, who got it from his father before him.
2. LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge is a retired American professional basketball player. He featured in the NBA for 15 seasons. Aldridge was born in Dallas, Texas, on July 19, 1985.
He was first diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome in 2006 after he blacked out on the bench during a game. However, his fast heartbeat was considered normal while playing on the field. On April 15, 2021, Aldridge announced his retirement from the NBA to prioritize his health after he experienced irregularity in his heartbeat during a game.
3. Max Duggan
Max Duggan is a college football quarterback for the TCU Horned Frogs. He was born in March 2001 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Duggan was a highly recruited quarterback out of high school and committed to TCU in July 2018.
During a COVID-19 medical screening routine for safety protocol enhancement in 2020, Duggan was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome, a condition he was born with. He underwent a nine-hour surgery to fix the electric system in his heart.
4. Nathan Eagleton
Born November 10, 1978, Eagleton is a former professional Australian footballer. He began his professional career in 1997 before retiring from AFL in 2012. During his career, Eagleton played for several Australian Football League teams, including the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Western Bulldogs.
During a match in 1999, Eagleton collapsed in the field and was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome. However, he underwent treatment to fix the condition and could return to the field in 2000.
5. Jeff Garlin
Jeff Garlin is an American actor, comedy writer, and producer. Born in June 1962 in Chicago, Illinois, Garlin was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome while in school and, as a result, had to stop playing sports. He underwent a successful surgery to correct the condition when he was in his late 20s.
6. Quentin Groves
Born July 5, 1984, Quentin Groves played in the National Football League (NFL). During routine medical tests at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2008, Groves was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome. Following the diagnosis, he opted for a minor surgery referred to as ablation, which his doctors told him was a success, and he carried on with his career. However, he suffered a heart attack and died on October 15, 2016, at the age of 32 while on vacation with his family.
7. Dan Hardy
Dan Hardy is a 41-year-old retired British mixed martial artist and former UFC welterweight contender. Hardy is also a commentator and analyst for the UFC and a coach and mentor for aspiring fighters.
When Hardy was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome in 2013, his doctors recommended ablation. This treatment involves using radiation, extreme cold or heat, or chemicals to destroy small areas of tissue in the heart that cause abnormal heart rhythms. Having never experienced any problems related to his condition, Hardy refused the treatment. However, in October 2018, he said that he was physically capable of resuming fighting.
8. Alicia Hoskin
Hoskin is a 23-year-old kayak sprinter from New Zealand. She was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome in 2017 during a cardiology test after she was selected for the junior canoe sprint world championships. Hoskin underwent a cardiac ablation shortly after the diagnosis and was able to resume her career. She made her Canoe Racing World Championship debut in 2019.
9. Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson is a painter, musician, artist, and actor known for his controversial and provocative style. He gained fame in the 1990s with his band, Marilyn Manson, which produced hits such as “The Beautiful People.” His fans first learned that Manson has WPW Syndrome after he collapsed on stage while performing in Houston in 2018.
10. Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf, born Marvin Lee Aday on September 27, 1947, was an American musician and actor. He was known for his powerful vocals and theatrical performances. Born Michael Lee Aday, he was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome in 2003 after he collapsed while performing. He underwent heart surgery to fix the heartbeat irregularities, which was a success.
11. Michael Lewis Montgomery
Montgomery is a retired professional footballer who played defensive end for the Green Bay Packers. Montgomery was born with WPW Syndrome, which was discovered during his first year in college after he passed out during practice. However, Montgomery had begun experiencing the condition while in high school but dismissed it as fatigue. His doctors performed an electrophysiology (EP) study and catheter ablation a day after he fainted in the field.
12. Montel Vontavious Porter
Montel Vontavious Porter, also known as MVP, is a former professional wrestler. He was born in Liberty City, Miami, Florida on October 28, 1973. Porter was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome in August 2007 while undergoing a routine checkup during his tenure with WWE. He underwent ablation to return his heart rhythm to normal. He made a full recovery and resumed his wrestling career.
13. Mike Rupp
Mike Rupp was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 13, 1980. He started playing ice hockey at a tender age and quickly showed promise as a forward. Rupp was diagnosed with WPW Syndrome in 1998 during his physical. He began experiencing symptoms later and underwent a cardiac ablation procedure. The procedure was unsuccessful; therefore, Rupp had to rely on medication to remain active in his career. His condition worsened with time, and in March 2006, he underwent another successful procedure.
Conclusion
Celebrities are not immune to serious health problems, and many have battled life-threatening illnesses. Sharing their struggles with the public, they help raise awareness about WPWS. They also prove nothing can hold us back from achieving our goals and dreams, provided we remain focused.
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