Biathlon world champion Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold undergoes heart surgery

After problems in the World Cup

Biathlon world champion undergoes heart surgery

Franziska Preuß is currently dominating the women’s biathlon world cup. This is also due to the lack of a strong opponent who has problems at heart.

“It will be a different Christmas than I had planned,” begins Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold’s detailed statement on Instagram. The Norwegian biathlete and four-time world champion can also be seen in a photo in her hospital bed. Tandrevold left the World Cup in Kontiolahti (Finland) at the beginning of December with heart problems and did not compete in Hochfilzen a week ago or in Annecy, France this weekend.

Now it’s clear why: Tandrevold underwent a small heart procedure. Doctors discovered AV nodal reentry tachycardia (AVRNT for short), a cardiac arrhythmia in which the heart suddenly beats quickly. “It’s not dangerous, just very unpleasant. Especially when you try to ski fast and see lightning at the same time,” says Tandrevold’s statement to the fans. “AVRNT is considered innate, but can be triggered by mental and physical stress (for example, shooting),” she explains. Shooting is part of biathlon, their sport.

“It’s a bit like I have a little notch in my record that occasionally sticks out, while the rest of the record is flawless,” she describes the situation. To solve this problem, she decided to have a small procedure.

At the same time, the 28-year-old also criticized the reporting about her absence. “It is important that we be aware of how we talk about different heart problems. Many types of cardiac arrhythmias are harmless and very different from serious diagnoses such as heart attacks or atrial fibrillation. That is why I would like both journalists and experts who “Write or speak about the topic, do a little more research before equating different illnesses and stirring up unnecessary fears,” says Tandrevold. The Norwegian emphasized that she would never have gone skiing if her life had been in serious danger.

She feels good and has been training lightly again. “I’m looking forward to hopefully being back at the World Cup in January,” said Tandrevold.

The next World Cup will take place in Oberhof from January 9th. It remains to be seen whether the four-time world champion will take part.