IRISH golfer Rory McIlroy has played down concerns over his health after revealing he has a heart irregularity.
In an interview with the Telegraph on Friday, the 28-year-old said he had a flat T-wave, which will require him to have a cardiogram every six months and yearly MRI scans.
A flat T-wave may indicate a lack of blood through the arteries to the heart or low levels of potassium in the blood serum, both of which can lead to heart disease.
However McIlroy has today played down the seriousness of the findings, describing himself as “fit and healthy”.
Taking to Instagram, McIlroy wrote: “Yesterday I did an interview with the Daily Telegraph where I spoke about a range of topics regarding the last three months of my life.
"I touched upon a recent finding from a routine health and wellness check.
“Like anything, the deeper you dig the more likely you are to find something.
“It revealed I had a slight heartbeat irregularity called a flat or inverted T wave.
“It's really not that big of a deal and nothing to worry about, apart from getting an annual check up, like you should do anyway.
“I feel there's been a big reaction to it in the media which there really shouldn't be.
“I’m fit and healthy and can't wait to get my 2018 season started in Abu Dhabi next week."
McIlroy cut short his season last year – only the second in which he failed to win a tournament – to have treatment for a persistent rib problem.
He will start his season at the Abu Dhabi Championship next week, one of seven tournaments before this year’s US Masters.
The April showpiece in Augusta is the only major McIlroy needs to win to complete a career Grand Slam.
