Morton legend Andy Ritchie reveals how he discovered he'd had two heart attacks
If you have been following closely, and I am grateful that you have, you may have noticed a pattern: all my sports activity has come from being parked on the sofa in front of the telly.
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Now, there was always a school of thought that, if I wasn't kicking a ball, I would be lying idly in front of the box.
I can tell you – not true.
Well, mostly not true!
Andy Ritchie reveals the health concerns that have affected him over the last 18 months or so. (Image: George Munro) However, the reason I am not out much has been, regrettably, a wee downturn in my physical health. I have felt for the best part of the last 18 months that I was not in full vigour, and I was putting that down to a lot of factors.
I now know, that really since the turn of the year, my health has deteriorated and, after a spell of not feeling myself, I eventually went to a doctor who referred me to a consultant.
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I have had an ECG, I'm waiting on an angiogram, and my medication has increased - because, according to said consultant, I have had a couple of what I believe are called 'cardiac episodes'.
In plain talk, that means heart attacks. Two of them. Naturally, I couldn't be happy with just one. I needed the full bhuna with nan bread.
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I have also become aware in my local manor that there has been a bit of talk about this and, before the dam bursts, so to speak, I wanted to let everyone know in my own way.
This sort of news can travel faster than a Carlos Alcaraz forehand, so I wanted to be in charge of the story.
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So, where am I now?
Well, as I said, the angiogram awaits, and from there, a precise course of treatment will be acted upon. That could range from even more meds up to a possible bypass. We shall see.
Of course, the worst thing about this, and don't judge me, is that the fags are on their way out.
I have smoked for over 50 years, even as a professional player. Then again, so did Johan Cruyff and John Robertson, so I am in good company.
Andy Ritchie says that after more than 50 years he's given the fags the boot. (Image: Archant) I have curtailed my habit and, going forward, I will conquer it - not least of all because of Robin, my local pharmacist, who is helping me with this one.
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Night times are difficult because the new meds disrupt my sleeping pattern, but on the whole, I am generally fine and looking forward to the new season.
I just felt that I wanted to share this with the good folk of Inverclyde who have shown me many kindnesses in the past.
Hopefully, I will see some of you in due course perhaps at Cappielow but do not offer me a ciggy!
Onwards and upwards, folks!
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