Martina Navratilova has had to abort her attempt to climb Mt Kilimanjaro after being admitted to hospital in Kenya.
Tennis legend diagnosed with high-altitude pulmonary edema
Martina Navratilova has had to abort her attempt to climb Mt Kilimanjaro after being admitted to hospital in Kenya suffering from fluid in the lungs.
The 54-year-old was part of a 27-strong team raising funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation charity by climbing up the 19,341-foot mountain.
However she was taken ill on the fourth day of the trip and was assisted down the mountain by porters before being driven to the nearby Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre for assessment.
She was then flown to Nairobi Hospital where the 18-time Grand Slam winner was diagnosed with high-altitude pulmonary edema.
Statement
"Basically this is 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," Dr David Silverstein, consultant in cardiology and internal medicine at the Nairobi Hospital, said in a statement released by Laureus on Friday evening.
"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."
Navratilova admitted her disappointment at failing to complete the summit in Tanzania.
"I'm disappointed not to be able to complete this amazing journey," she said. "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."
