French rugby Star Suffers Cardiac Arrest After Using Snus
Table of Contents
- 1. French rugby Star Suffers Cardiac Arrest After Using Snus
- 2. A Wedding Celebration Turned Scary
- 3. A serious Warning About Snus
- 4. The Danger of Snus: One Firefighter’s Story
- 5. A Close Call on the Job
- 6. The CDC Weighs In
- 7. Beyond the Smoke
- 8. The Hidden Dangers of Smokeless Tobacco
- 9. Addiction and Cancer: A Deadly Duo
- 10. Beyond Cancer: A Multifaceted Threat
- 11. Making Informed Choices
- 12. What are teh dangers of using snus, especially for athletes or those with underlying health conditions?
In a shocking revelation, French rugby union prop Hassane kolingar has opened up about a terrifying experience that landed him in cardiac arrest after using the tobacco product snus.
A Wedding Celebration Turned Scary
Koligan was attending the wedding of his Racing 92 teammate Ibrahim Diallo when he decided to try snus. He described placing the tobacco pouch behind his upper lip while waiting for the ceremony to begin. He recounts the moment his laughter turned into terror:
“When I got there, I stuck a snus against my gum and sat down while waiting for the bride and groom,” Kolingar told French sports newspaper Midi Olympique. “Immediately felt pressure in my chest.”
He continued,”My heart was beating really hard,and I was sweating a lot,seeing stars. “I thought I was just having a hypoglycaemic episode and, so I would not ruin the ceremony, I moved aside.
“My eardrums were banging, I felt like someone was sticking needles in my head. “I was in pain, really bad pain and my eyes were rolling back. I was going into cardiac arrest
A serious Warning About Snus
Koligan’s story serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of snus. While often marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, snus still delivers a high dose of nicotine, which can have serious health consequences.
The Danger of Snus: One Firefighter’s Story
Snus, a smokeless tobacco product often touted as a safer alternative to cigarettes, is raising concerns about its potential health risks.While it may lack the smoke,snus still delivers nicotine and other harmful chemicals directly to the body.
A Close Call on the Job
One firefighter, Kolingar, experienced firsthand the potential dangers of snus. During a call, Kolingar’s heart rate spiked dramatically. His condition worsened, leading to a medically induced coma and four electric shocks to revive him.
“As my pulse wouldn’t go down, the firefighters put me into a coma. To wake me up,they shocked me four times,” Kolingar recalled.
Further investigation revealed Kolingar had a birth defect on his heart, which was exacerbated by his snus use. He underwent surgery to address the issue, a procedure that ironically required intentionally stopping his heart.
“the purpose of the operation was to clean the scar I had on my heart since birth. To do that, [the surgeon] had to trigger a new cardiac arrest,” Kolingar explained
Remarkably, Kolingar returned to active duty in December following his health scare.
The CDC Weighs In
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that snus, while smokeless, is not harmless. Like other tobacco products, it contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance, and other carcinogens linked to various cancers.
The CDC emphasizes that smokeless tobacco products like snus are not a safe alternative to cigarettes. They pose significant health risks and can contribute to a range of serious conditions.
Beyond the Smoke
Kolar’s story serves as a potent reminder that the dangers of tobacco extend beyond cigarettes and smoke.The seemingly less harmful nature of snus can be deceiving, masking the potential for serious health consequences.
As awareness grows about the risks associated with snus, individuals might reconsider its perceived safety and explore healthier alternatives.
Smokeless tobacco, often perceived as a safer alternative to cigarettes, harbors a multitude of serious health risks. While it may not involve smoke inhalation, the consequences of using products like chewing tobacco and snuff can be devastating.
Addiction and Cancer: A Deadly Duo
One of the most significant dangers of smokeless tobacco is its high addictive potential.The nicotine in thes products hooks users, making it incredibly difficult to quit. This addiction can lead to long-term health problems, including various forms of cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, smokeless tobacco use is directly linked to cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.It can also cause leukoplakia, a precancerous condition that affects the mouth.
Beyond Cancer: A Multifaceted Threat
The health risks associated with smokeless tobacco extend far beyond cancer. It can also contribute to a range of other serious conditions, including:
- Gum Disease and Tooth Loss: Smokeless tobacco irritates the gums, leading to inflammation, recession, and eventual tooth loss.
- Heart disease and Stroke: The nicotine in smokeless tobacco constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Pregnancy Complications: Women who use smokeless tobacco during pregnancy face an increased risk of premature birth, stillbirth, and other complications.
Making Informed Choices
The evidence is clear: smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. Its harmful effects can be severe and long-lasting.
If you are currently using smokeless tobacco, seeking help to quit is crucial. Talk to your doctor about resources and strategies that can support your journey to a healthier, tobacco-free life.
What are teh dangers of using snus, especially for athletes or those with underlying health conditions?
interview with Dr. Claire Moreau, Cardiologist and Tobacco Harm Reduction Expert
By Archyde News
Archyde News: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Moreau. The recent story of French rugby star Hassane Kolingar suffering a cardiac arrest after using snus has sparked widespread concern.As a cardiologist and expert in tobacco harm reduction, can you explain what snus is and why it’s considered hazardous?
Dr.Claire Moreau: Thank you for having me. Snus is a smokeless tobacco product, traditionally popular in scandinavia, that is placed under the upper lip.Unlike cigarettes, it doesn’t involve combustion, so it doesn’t produce smoke. However, it still delivers a high dose of nicotine and contains othre harmful chemicals. While it’s often marketed as a “safer” alternative to smoking, it’s far from harmless.Nicotine is a potent stimulant that can substantially increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous, especially for individuals with underlying heart conditions.
Archyde News: Kolingar’s case is especially alarming as he experienced a cardiac arrest after using snus just once. How common is this kind of reaction?
Dr. Claire Moreau: While it’s rare for someone to experience a cardiac arrest after a single use, it’s not impractical, especially if there are pre-existing conditions.In Kolingar’s case, he had a congenital heart defect—a scar on his heart since birth. The nicotine in snus likely exacerbated this condition,causing his heart to go into overdrive. For most people,the immediate effects of snus might include dizziness,nausea,or a racing heart,but for someone with an undiagnosed heart issue,the consequences can be severe,even life-threatening.
Archyde News: Kolingar also mentioned that he initially thought he was having a hypoglycemic episode. How can someone distinguish between symptoms of low blood sugar and a cardiac event?
Dr. Claire Moreau: That’s a great question.Both hypoglycemia and cardiac events can cause symptoms like sweating, dizziness, and confusion. Though, cardiac events frequently enough come with additional warning signs, such as chest pain, pressure, or tightness, radiating pain in the arm or jaw, and an irregular or pounding heartbeat. In Kolingar’s case, the severe pain in his head and the sensation of his eyes rolling back were clear indicators that this was more then just low blood sugar. It’s crucial for individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they experience these symptoms, especially if they’ve used nicotine or have a history of heart issues.
Archyde News: Snus is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, particularly for athletes. What’s your take on this?
Dr. Claire Moreau: The idea that snus is “safe” is a dangerous misconception.While it may reduce some risks associated with smoking, such as lung cancer, it introduces other risks, particularly to cardiovascular health. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood vessels, which can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the heart. For athletes, whose bodies are under notable physical stress, this can be especially harmful. Additionally, the addictive nature of nicotine can lead to long-term use, increasing the risk of chronic health problems.
Archyde News: Kolingar’s story also highlights the importance of understanding one’s own health. What advice would you give to individuals who might be using snus or considering it?
Dr. Claire Moreau: My first piece of advice is to be aware of your own health history. If you have any known heart conditions or a family history of cardiovascular issues, avoid nicotine products altogether. Second, don’t be fooled by marketing claims. Just as something is marketed as “safer” doesn’t mean it’s safe.if you’re using snus or any nicotine product and experience unusual symptoms—chest pain, rapid heartbeat, dizziness—stop using it immediately and consult a healthcare professional. Your health is not worth the risk.
Archyde news: Thank you, Dr. Moreau, for shedding light on this important issue. Your insights are invaluable, especially in light of stories like Kolingar’s.
Dr.Claire Moreau: Thank you. It’s crucial that we continue to educate people about the risks of nicotine products, whether they’re smoked or smokeless. Awareness can save lives.
End of Interview
This interview underscores the dangers of snus and the importance of understanding its potential health risks, particularly for individuals with underlying conditions. As stories like Kolingar’s continue to emerge,it’s clear that more education and awareness are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
