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Alphonso Davies Back In Training After Heart Condition
Canada star Alphonso Davies has returned to training after a heart condition, but it is unknown when he will be involved in competitive action again.
Davies last played competitively on December 17th and has been sidelined completely since early January when routine follow-up testing after he contracted COVID-19 revealed the inflammation of his heart muscle.
The Bayern Munich star has myocarditis, which enlarges and weakens the heart, can create scar tissue, and forces the heart to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body.
The effects of this type of inflammation are wide-ranging — including fatigue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and chest pain — though most myocarditis cases overall are both mild and temporary.
The exact cause of a case of myocarditis isn’t always determined, but viruses like SARS-Cov-2, the one that causes COVID-19, are commonly associated with the condition.
Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann says Davies will not be rushed back.
“The best case scenario for Phonzy is that his heart muscle inflammation is gone. However, if everything goes very, very well, he will miss three, maybe four weeks, because he is only allowed to undertake very moderate efforts the first week,” Nagelsmann said on Saturday.
“Next week on Friday we have to do another MRI scan to check how he’s doing. The fluid from the pericardium is gone, everything looks good. We’re pleased and very happy with how it’s turned out and hope he finds his feet again quickly.”
This approach aligns with medical best-practices for living with the condition, as severe cases of myocarditis — though rare — can cause permanent damage and lead to heart failure, heart attacks, arrhythmias or even sudden cardiac death.
/Stewart Sports news editor
