Tom Lockyer: Luton Town captain thought he could be dying during cardiac arrest
- Published
Tom Lockyer suffered cardiac arrest in Luton's Premier League game with Bournemouth on 16 December
Tom Lockyer thought he could be dying after his cardiac arrest during Luton Town's game at Bournemouth - but says he wants to play football again.
The 29-year-old was resuscitated after his heart stopped beating for two minutes and 40 seconds in the Premier League game in December.
Medics' actions saved Lockyer's life and he will not go against medical advice about resuming his career.
"I'm incredibly lucky to be alive," Lockyer said on Sunday on Sky Sports.
"We will be dictated to by the medical staff and specialists but if there was a chance I could play again, and I'm not going to do anything against the specialists' recommendations, then I would love to.
"It's far too early to say, there are a lot more tests and things that need to happen in the background, but I wouldn't write it off."
It was the second time Lockyer has had a heart problem after collapsing in the Hatters' play-off final win against Coventry City at Wembley last May.
After minor surgery he was able to play again and has captained Luton in the top flight - including scoring his first Premier League goal - before the second incident on 16 December at Vitality Stadium.
'I could be dying here' - Lockyer on collapse
"It was just a normal day and that's the most worrying thing about it," said the Wales defender.
"I was running up to the halfway line and went really light-headed. I remember thinking 'I will be OK in a second' and eventually I wasn't.
"I woke up and the paramedics and everyone were everywhere. It happened in May as well, but I knew instantly this was different. Last time I woke up from almost a dream, this time I woke up from a nothingness.
"Straight away there was a little bit more panic from the paramedics, physios and club doctors. I was a little bit disorientated, couldn't speak or move, I was just trying to work out what was happening.
"While that was going on I remember thinking 'I could be dying here' and it's quite a surreal thought thinking that and not being able to move and respond."
Lockyer says he could feel medics putting the drip into his arm and spoke of his "relief" when he came around.
"After what happened in May I have a little recording device under my chest," he added.
"Two minutes 40 seconds I was out for. I needed the defibrillator to shock me back. A massive thank you to the paramedics and club doctors involved - because without them I wouldn't be here."
'My family has had it worse than I have'
Tom Lockyer scored the winner for Luton in their 2-1 victory at Everton in the Premier League
Lockyer's girlfriend is pregnant with their baby due soon and the centre-back, who says he is doing "really well", is focused only on his family at the moment.
He added: "I've just been living it, but everyone watching it, especially my family, has had it worse than I have.
"My old man was there [at Bournemouth] and my girlfriend was seven months pregnant at the time so instantly that's where my thoughts go.
"I kind of just woke up and as soon as I got my bearings I was OK, I felt fine. I didn't have any soreness, light-headedness or pain.
"My mum was at home and listening on the radio with my brother. Bournemouth scored and she made a cup of tea and my brother had turned the radio off.
"She was like 'what are you doing?' and he had to say 'Tom's gone down off the ball again'. So it's things like that which are the bigger picture and that's the hardest thing to deal with."
Lockyer was at Kenilworth Road on Sunday, working as a pundit for Sky Sports on his side's home match against Manchester United.
He has since had a device fitted, described as an in-built defibrillator, which would automatically shock his heart if required and joked he "almost felt invincible".
"I can't lie, it has been a tough couple of months, but I'm well," he added.
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