Arian Foster is revealing a heart condition that may need surgery in the off season. The Houston Texan's star running back says he is considering having a heart procedure to address an issue of an irregular heartbeat that forced him out of a game back in December.
Foster told the NFL Network that he has had an irregular heartbeat since he was a child that has caused him to have shortness of breath for much of his life. Back in December, Foster was forced out of a game against the Minnesota Vikings for having an irregular heartbeat. Head coach Gary Kubiak said that that Foster was cleared to return to the game, but they decided to keep him out due to Foster experiencing the same issue in a practice earlier in the week.
The procedure is called a heart ablation. The surgery involves the use of a catheter to correct structural problems that can lead the abnormal heartbeat condition. There is medication that can be taken for this issue, but when the medicine fails, the surgery is normally the best response for the problem.
While Foster said he is likely to have the surgery, Texans general manager Rick Smith said he does not expect Foster to undergo the heart ablation procedure. Smith said they are comfortable where Foster is. The team doctors continue to monitor Foster's condition and treat him accordingly.
The 26-year-old running back rushed for 1,424 yards in 2012 with 15 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl as the starting running back for the AFC. The Texans lost to the New England Patriots in the Division Championship.
Foster said the procedure would happen in about a month, but no word on how long it might keep him from playing.
