Surgery 'key' for rower

Dr Martin Stiles and Rob Waddell discuss the operation. Photo / Chris Skelton

Sporting legend Rob Waddell says a life-changing heart operation was like competing in an Olympic final - although he's now uncertain whether he'll ever return to competitive rowing or sailing.

The 34-year-old went under the surgeon's knife last week, in five-hour keyhole surgery to correct his dicky ticker.

He said it would be a month before he considered any more exercise.

"The top of my priority list is the family and what is best for them," said Waddell, who has three children with wife Sonia.

"You can do sport once in your life, but your kids are only young once, too, so this is precious time and I am really enjoying it."

Waddell said he had been considering having the surgery to correct his atrial fibrillation since 2000, the same year he won Olympic gold in the single sculls in Sydney.

New Zealand's only gold medallist at the Sydney Olympics, Waddell did not defend his title at Athens in 2004 because of his heart condition. His medical problems resurfaced again before the Beijing Olympics, during his domestic raceoff against Mahe Drysdale for the New Zealand single sculls spot.

In atrial fibrillation, the heartbeat becomes irregular and may become very fast because the normal timer in the heart does not work properly. It can lead to a stroke or, in some cases, death.

"You just feel tired. I mean if you are in the middle of a race you get a bit of a flutter in the house ... you can literally feel your heart beating irregularly but after that it's just really rapid.

"I've often described it like rowing in porridge or rowing in mud, it feels like everything has slowed down," he said.

Over the years the techniques involved in the surgery have improved and it has become much safer.

Keyhole surgery of the type carried out on Waddell fixes irregular heartbeats by using virtual simulations of the heart to pinpoint targets where small burns help change the muscle's electrical conduction.

"It was a life-changing experience," said Waddell yesterday.

"You remember it like you are going through an Olympic final, right from start to finish."

Waddell said if he hadn't had the surgery, future sporting options would have been ruled out - but he's still uncertain about whether he'll aim for the Olympics in London or another America's Cup.

"I feel I have got options again. If I want to go to the London Olympics, for all the trial processes, I had to have the surgery this year. But the operation was as much for my lifestyle - whether it even be riding a bike with the kids."

Waddell indicated he had received offers from overseas America's Cup syndicates but "I feel pretty strongly about representing New Zealand and staying here".