‘Almost half of England's football managers have "significant" heart problems and their life-consuming, high-pressure jobs are a "recipe for potential disaster" according to one of the world's leading cardiovascular experts.
‘Dr Dorian Dugmore, the secretary general of the World Council for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, has spent two years monitoring managers' health - and advising on ways to improve it - and will present his findings at a series of major international conferences in Europe and America from next month. The most alarming statistic is that 44 per cent have "significant cardiovascular risk factors, some needing immediate attention."
‘It is believed that more than one manager has resigned or been forced to step down in recent years after a diagnosis of a serious heart problem that has never been made public.
‘"There's added stress in being a manager because of constant job insecurity," said Dugmore, whose work at Wellness aims to reduce illness, largely heart-related, in the corporate world.
‘"The health problems they exhibit are similar to chief executives of major companies, but exacerbated by having their every move examined under the spotlight. They are under constant pressure.
‘"Some drink too much, which adds to the problem. They travel a lot, which means their diet isn't always the best. Their blood fats, blood sugars and blood pressures rise. Add all that together and it's a recipe for potential disaster."’