Elite cyclist Andre Clayden is warning high level athletes not to dismiss fatigue, aches and pains after he suffered a stroke which led to the discovery of a congential heart defect and a life-changing operation.
Mr Clayden, who is also internationally renowned for his work as an astronomer, said after years of winning medals at national and state titles in mountain biking, road cycling and cyclocross as well as excelling at deep water diving, he noticed he was ‘slowing down’ and began suffering headaches and even blackouts.
Mr Clayden said he had attributed his fatigue to ageing, until his stroke in April 2018 revealed he had a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) – a hole in the heart which allows small blood clots to bypass the lungs and enter the brain.
