Wednesday 4 November 2015 18:58, UK
Former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams has revealed he underwent life-saving heart surgery to alleviate a severely blocked vein.
Adams enjoyed a 19-year playing career, racking up 669 appearances and winning 10 major trophies with the Gunners before moving into management.
The 49-year-old began his management career with Wycombe Wanderers before spells in charge of Portsmouth and Azerbaijani club Gabala.
Adams, currently Gabala's director of football, says he recently began feeling pain whilst exercising and was quickly recommended to undergo tests in Azerbaijan's capital Baku.
Following the discovery of a blocked vein, Adams immediately underwent surgery and is now recuperating with his family in the United Kingdom.
"After feeling some acute chest pain whilst exercising in Azerbaijan, and liaising with Gabala club doctors, I went to the Medical Plaza Hospital in Baku where I was admitted for an angiogram, and then following diagnosis of a severely blocked vein, an immediate angioplasty," Adams said.
"The brilliant surgeons at the Medical Plaza did a fantastic job - as has been reiterated to me by my cardiologist in the UK.
"I know full well that without the brilliance of Dr Uzeyir Rahimov and his team I would not be alive now: a minor heart operation saved my life.
"I can't begin to thank Tale Heydarov and all at Gabala Football Club, as well as the cardiac unit at the Medical Plaza Baku enough.
"I would just like to say that if you, like me, have a history of heart disease in your family and you feel chest pains, get yourself to the doctor's now."
Arsenal sent a message of support to their former skipper, wishing him well as he begins his recovery.
"Everyone at Arsenal would like to wish the legendary Tony Adams the best of luck as he recovers from heart surgery," the club said via their official Twitter account.
