Tennis
Navratilova in hospital
2010-12-10 19:50
Nairobi - Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was recovering in a Nairobi hospital on Friday after suffering a pulmonary edema during a charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Navratilova, who was leading a team of 27 climbers to raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation charity, fell ill on the fourth day of the climb up Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at 5 895 metres.
The 54-year-old, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, was helped down the mountain and flown to Nairobi for further tests that revealed the edema.
"I'm disappointed not to be able to complete this amazing journey," said Navratilova, who holds both American and Czech citizenship.
"It was something that I have wanted to do for so long, but it was not to be. I am so pleased that we got it going and I will be watching and waiting for news from the climb when they reach the summit tomorrow (Saturday)."
Dr David Silverstein, consultant in cardiology and internal medicine at the Nairobi Hospital, said the edema was "fluid in the lungs related to high altitude".
"It is potentially dangerous when someone is at high altitude, but once brought down, recovery is quick. Martina is doing well and will continue to do well."
Silverstein added: "Treatment is to remove the fluid through diuretics and to make the patient more comfortable with oxygen. She will spend two to three days in hospital.
"There will be no effects to long term health and patients get back to full fitness in due course. Martina's acute condition is not reflective of her health or fitness. It occurs in some people in conditions of low oxygen."