Maradona hospitalized in intensive care in Buenos Aires

[wilheim]

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Former Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona was hospitalized in intensive care Sunday with heart and blood pressure problems.

Dozens of his fans mounted an overnight vigil outside the clinic where he was taken.

It was the second time in recent years Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, had been hospitalized.

The former player was taken to a hospital Sunday hours after watching his former Argentine team Boca Juniors play in the domestic league.

A statement from the Suizo-Argentina private clinic in Buenos Aires said Maradona was suffering from hypertension and an inflamed heart muscle, a condition known as dilated cardiomiopathy. The statement gave few details, but said he was in a critical care unit.

''The prognosis at this point is reserved,'' the statement said, adding that Maradona was under sedation.

Dozens of Maradona fans, some carrying pictures of him, crowded outside the clinic in downtown Buenos Aires. One man held a sign that read: ''God Bless you, Maradona!''

Alfredo Cahe, Maradona's personal physician, said the emergency hospitalization was not related to Maradona's past drug use. Maradona had been rehabilitating for cocaine abuse in Cuba.

''His hospitalization has nothing to do with his addictions,'' Cahe told reporters.

Also arriving at the hospital were Maradona's father, his former wife and two daughters.

Maradona was checked into hospital after watching league leader Boca Juniors beat Nueva Chicago 2-0 at La Bombonera stadium.

He was suspended from the Italian league in 1991 for 15 months following a positive test for cocaine.

FIFA suspended him in 1994 for 15 months because of a positive test at the World Cup finals in the United States.

He eventually retired from professional soccer in 1997.

In January 2000, Maradona was hospitalized while vacationing in the Uruguayan resort city of Punta del Este. At that time, he was diagnosed with a severe heart condition and months later moved to Cuba for drug rehab.

He returned to Argentina more than a week ago, saying he had personal business.

Last month, Maradona broke with his longtime personal manager, accusing him of mismanaging his finances.

In his 20-year career, Maradona won Italian and Argentine league titles and led Argentina to the World Cup final in 1990.

In 2000, FIFA chose Maradona as the game's best ever, along with Pele.

 

[RIOSHILL]

"His hospitalization has nothing to do with his cocaine addiction." You must be joking. Cocaine abuse at any level is correlated to heart disease and can lead to an increased chance of heart attacks. That quote is probably the dumbest statement i have ever heard.

 

[Railbird]

Rio,

How about a little sensitivity, and some prayer.

 

[GreenDoberman]

Hope "The Hand of God" recovers but I do agree cocaine is evil and causes heart problems. It took away the great Lenny Bias.

Rail,
How about a few tennis picks?
I've been tearing up Nascar lately as well, even though I hate the sport it's a moneymaker.

 

[TheGeneral+]

Buenos Aires - Significant traces of cocaine were found in a urine sample taken from Diego Maradona at a hospital emergency room where he was rushed to suffering from severe blood pressure swings and heart problems, the Telam news agency reported on Tuesday.

A source close to Maradona said the urine sample found between 850 and 900 milligrams of cocaine. The report has not been officially confirmed, although sports newspaper Ole also reported that cocaine had been detected.

The source was quoted by Telam as saying that "the quantity found could have sparked drastic results in another person, but as he is a severe addict, Diego was able to stand it".

Maradona, 43, was rushed to hospital on Sunday suffering from an enlarged heart, respiratory insufficiency, and aspiratory pneumonia and is breathing with the assistance of a respirator.

From the moment he was taken to the Suizo-Argentina Clinic in an exclusive Buenos Aires district, the media speculated he had taken a drug overdose.

But his personal physician Alfredo Cahe denied on Monday that Maradona had taken a cocaine overdose. Maradona has been in Cuba for the past four years on a drug detoxification programme and returned to Argentina a month ago for personal matters.

In January 2000 Maradona nearly died from a cocaine overdose while in Uruguay. - Sapa-DPA

http://www.iol.co.za

 

[areeff]

Amazing he's stillon coke and he's so fat now.

 

[wilheim]

Maradona expected to be hospitalized for some time
By Kevin Gray, Associated Press, 4/20/2004 16:20

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Diego Maradona is expected to be hospitalized for some time, with doctors saying Tuesday his condition remained ''delicate.''

The Argentine soccer star was sedated and on a respirator, but responding to treatment for a heart problem and lung infection, doctors said.

''We're taking it one step at a time,'' Maradona's personal physician, Dr. Alfredo Cahe, said. ''He's doing better today than yesterday.''

Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title in Mexico, was put in intensive care Sunday after watching former team Boca Juniors play. It was the second time in recent years that the 43-year-old soccer great has been hospitalized.

His doctors say the emergency hospitalization was not drug-related, but have not commented on what prompted Maradona to enter the hospital.

He has been undergoing drug rehabilitation for cocaine abuse in Cuba.

His hospitalization has resulted in an outpouring of support throughout Argentina, where soccer is a national obsession and Maradona is treated like a hero.

Fans scrawled messages on notebook paper, T-shirts, flags or banners strung from apartment balconies that read ''The people are with you!'' and ''You're immortal, Diego, Be Strong!''

Three women recited prayers while clutching rosaries, and a teenage boy beat a drum while yelling that Maradona was immortal.

''If Diego feels bad, all of Argentina feels the same way,'' said Manuel Luza, 16, as he waited outside the Suizo-Argentina hospital.

Some Argentines stayed tuned in other ways. Local television carried live round-the-clock updates. When news slowed, some channels carried old footage of Maradona from his playing days.

Seven years after retiring from the sport, Maradona remains an object of hero worship despite years of drug abuse and other off-field problems.

For many Argentines, Maradona's soccer triumphs during the 1980s and early 1990s provided a needed respite from years of military rule, a deflating defeat in a war with Britain for the Falkland Islands and recurring economic trouble.

''He's given us some of the happiest moments in our lives,'' said Juan Carlos Munoz, a 36-year-old accountant, before shouting: ''Hang in there, Diego! We love you!''

 

[~Falco~]

The hand of God is tightening around Marodona's neck. He has dishonored his sport, country and his family. On second thought, its the Devil's hand that is beckoning.

 

[TIGER]

He's not too old isn't he?? 40???

 

[wilheim]

Maradona stays on respirator in intensive care
By Vicente L. Panetta, Associated Press, 4/21/2004 16:01

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Diego Maradona remained on a respirator in intensive care Wednesday, three days after the soccer great was hospitalized with heart and lung problems.

Maradona has pneumonia and was being treated with antibiotics to fight a lung infection, the Suizo-Argentina Clinic said. His condition was still listed as ''guarded prognosis.''

The 43-year-old Maradona looked pale and overweight during his last appearance Sunday at a soccer stadium in Buenos Aires. He was rushed to the private clinic hours after the game, complaining of chest pains and breathing problems.

His doctors say the emergency hospitalization was not drug-related, but have not commented on what prompted Maradona to enter the hospital.

Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, has been undergoing drug rehabilitation in Cuba for cocaine abuse.

Dr. Alfredo Cahe, Maradona's personal physical, has suggested Maradona could be in for a long hospital stay. He refused to elaborate further Wednesday, leaving the hospital without comment just before the latest medical update was released.

Authorities bolstered security around the fourth-floor treatment area where Maradona reportedly was being monitored. A crowd of about 200 people gathered by the front doors in an outpouring of support for the man many consider the country's greatest sports hero.

Many lit candles, taped posters of a youthful Maradona to the marbled entryway to the clinic, or raised banners wishing him well. ''Diego, you are immortal!'' some chanted in the crowd as motorists crawled past the clinic in snarled traffic.

Maradona's hospital visitors have been restricted to his closest family, including his former wife, Claudia, and his daughters, Dalma and Nerea.

The hospital entrance took on the feel of a soccer stadium. Fans of Maradona's Boca Juniors squad chanted slogans and raised banners in the blue and yellow team colors. ''Ole! Ole! Ole! Diego! Diego!'' they chanted.

Some motorists honked horns on the boulevard out front, where six lanes were reduced to two at one point. The chants and drum-beating got so loud late Tuesday that the clinic issued a statement asking for silence.

 

[wilheim]

Maradona leaves hospital after 12 days in intensive care
By Kevin Gray, Associated Press, 4/29/2004 17:38

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Diego Maradona checked out of a hospital Thursday after 12 days in intensive care for heart and lung problems.

Maradona, 43, left to seek ''more personalized treatment'' from his own doctor, his medical team said in a statement.

Outside the hospital, dozens of fans chanted ''Ole! Ole! Ole!'' and unfurled a large white banner with Maradona's picture and the message ''God exists.''

As news spread that the former soccer star left the hospital, other well-wishers honked their horns as they drove by.

It wasn't immediately clear where Maradona who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup championship was headed. Four years ago, he moved to Cuba, where he has been undergoing drug rehabilitation for cocaine addiction.

He returned to Argentina on personal business more than a month ago.

Maradona's exit from the hospital Thursday came after a string of upbeat medical reports but just one day after his medical team said he would stay in intensive care at least a few extra days ''to help speed up his recovery.''

He was rushed to a hospital April 18 complaining of chest pains and fever. It was his second emergency hospitalization in recent years.

On Tuesday, Maradona was on his feet for the first time, walking around his hospital room. He watched on television as Argentina's national soccer team beat Morocco 1-0 in an exhibition game Wednesday night.

Maradona's family has said drug problems had nothing to do with his current hospitalization.

In January 2000, he was hospitalized in Uruguay and diagnosed with a severe heart condition. He later went to Cuba for drug rehabilitation.

In his 20-year career before retiring in 1997, Maradona also led Argentina to the 1990 World Cup final and won Italian and Argentine league titles. In 2000, FIFA chose him and Pele as the best players in soccer history.

For days, fans and admirers have stood vigil outside the private clinic in downtown Buenos Aires, joining local reporters awaiting daily updates on Maradona's progress. Hundreds of fans taped get-well messages to the hospital's walls.

 

[wilheim]

If anyone cares:
Maradona back in intensive care
From correspondents in Buenos Aires
May 6, 2004

ARGENTINE soccer legend Diego Maradona, who came close to death with heart and lung problems last month, is back in intensive care suffering from indigestion.

The 43-year-old 1986 World Cup-winning captain was readmitted to the Suizo-Argentina hospital here today where he was treated from April 18 to 29.

A hospital statement described Maradona's condition as "stable".

It said he is being treated in intensive care "because there were individual rooms allowing greater privacy and constant surveillance for patients".

Maradona's personal doctor, Alfredo Cahe, told Radio Continental that he will be in hospital for two or three days, saying he needs a health check-up before leaving for Cuba. Cahe added Maradona is very tired due to his excess weight.

Maradona arrived at hospital by ambulance early today. Hospital staff quickly installed barriers in front of the entrance to keep press and onlookers at bay.

Last Thursday Maradona surprisingly left hospital without the full agreement of medical staff and ex-wife Claudia Villafane.

On leaving medical sources said that although his health had improved, the player should have stayed in hospital for another two or three weeks.

"It will take a long time till complete recovery," these sources confirmed, adding Maradona had been unconscious for several days and close to death and had been breathing with the help of a ventilator.

On Friday, in his first television appearance since leaving hospital he admitted he had been close to death.

In the luxurious home where he had since been staying, owned by a businessman friend at General Rodriguez, 50km to the north west of Buenos Aires, he had been surrounded by a nurse and three bodyguards under the supervision of Dr Cahe.

Maradona had been due to travel to Cuba tomorrow to continue his drug rehabilitation therapy. Maradona had chosen to live in Cuba since 2000 when he had his first heart attack at Uruguayan resort Punta del Este, caused by a cocaine overdose.

Maradona has played golf since leaving hospital, he also played around with a football and had been seen several times without a shirt on in cold, autumnal weather.

On Tuesday night, he watched his favourite team Boca Juniors play Peru's Sporting Cristal on television in the last 16, first leg of the Libertadores Cup, the equivalent of the European Champions League for South American clubs.