Gruber to continue his career after heart surgery
Nov 10, 2020·Nordic Combined
A long wait is finally over. After extensive examinations in recent weeks, the Bernhard Gruber received the green light from this doctors and the ÖSV medical team at the beginning of the week to get back into high-performance sport.
In mid-March Gruber received the devastating diagnosis of a coronary artery narrowing after he experienced a persistent oppressive feeling in the chest area. As part of a cardiac catheter examination, Gruber was then inserted a so-called stent (medical implant to keep the coronary artery open). After the final examinations, the father of two can laugh again eight months later.
The news came from Professor Josef Niebauer, cardiologist and primary at the University Institute for Sports Medicine at the University Hospital Salzburg, who carried out the final examinations with Gruber. In consultation with the medical department of the ÖSV, he gave the green light for the veteran yesterday.
“A week ago, we subjected Bernhard Gruber to another extensive examination including exercise spirometry and cardiac ultrasound at rest and under stress. His values and performance are almost as good as they were a year ago when he was with us for the sports medical examination the last time. Even with extensive diagnostics, we could not find any abnormalities that speak against stress at the high performance level. Bernhard is aware that with his medical history he has a higher risk of progression of coronary heart disease and thus also of corresponding events. However, based on the currently good test results, nothing stands in the way of continuing your career for the time being,” says the cardiologist.
“I had speculated a bit that I won't get the green light anymore, since top-class sport is a very sensitive topic after a stent implantation. However, the doctors agreed that I was 100 percent fit again and this is my biggest win so far”, a relieved Gruber said after receiving the result. “
"I am really happy that I can continue to pursue my great passion, Nordic Combined. The way back will be anything but easy, I haven't done a single jump, no strength training and almost no fast training sessions. It doesn't have to mean that even if I'm one hundred percent fit again, I can implement that in competition. A lot will go on in my head, but we have eliminated all ambiguities with the investigations. I will always complete the training in close coordination with the treating doctors and undergo ongoing medical checks. The way back is going to be a really difficult task, but I suppose it is - Challenge accepted! "
Nordic Combined head coach Christoph Eugen is also delighted with Bernhard Gruber: "I'm really happy for Berni that he got the doctor's OK. We will give him all the time he needs for his way back."
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