Sunderland legend shares heart bypass surgery shock

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has revealed he needs a triple heart bypass

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has revealed he is to undergo a triple heart bypass operation.

Gabbiadini, now a pundit on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport programme, has urged anyone worried about potential symptoms to see a doctor straight away.

The 56-year-old said he felt what he described as a "slight issue" in his chest earlier this year.

Having sought medical advice, he said the results of an angiogram proved to be quite a shock, adding: "I found out I’ve been working on about 20% of the capacity of my heart."

Gabbiadini, who was born in Nottingham and started his career with York City, took to the field almost 200 times for Sunderland between 1987-91.

He went on to play in the Premier League for Derby County.

The former footballer has been part of the Total Sport team at BBC Radio Newcastle for 15 years.

'Did the right thing'

Gabbiadini said he noticed symptoms after returning to the gym a few months following a shoulder injury.

He said: "I started going back and was trying to do some cardio and just as I was getting to the higher end of my heart rate I started to feel some heartburn.

"Also, we had a couple of country walks and I was lagging behind a bit on the hills which normally is not an issue".

After going to see his doctor, he was scheduled in for a triple heart bypass operation.

Marco Gabbiadini said he was having difficulty keeping up with others while out walking in the countryside

The Black Cats legend is keen to use his profile to help others.

"I’m usually pretty private but I just felt we’re privileged to have this platform and I just wanted to highlight it and get people to do something about it if they have an issue," he said.

Julie Ward, senior nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said Gabbiadini "did the right thing".

"Our fundamental message is if you do get any pains in the chest, the back, the neck, the jaw, the arm, don’t ignore them. Get them checked out," she added.

Messages from well-wishers poured in to the show when the star revealed his situation on air.

They included one from a fan whose father died from a heart-related issue after taking ill at the Stadium of Light during a match 20 years ago.