TNA legend Ric Flair admitted in his autobiography to being diagnosed with the heart condition alcoholic cardiomyopathy. It's a key point considering that a Flair representative told TMZ.com that the legendary wrestler is considering legal action against Grantland.com for reporting that he has the medical condition.

"Through my many years of partying, I also developed something called 'alcoholic cardiomyopathy,' a weakening of the heart muscles," reads Flair's autobiography. "I first detected that there was something wrong when my heart began skipping beats. I went to a cardiologist friend who told me that when your heart pumps, it expands like a rubber band. But mine was doing it too much.

"Initially, I thought that steroids might be responsible, but the doctor dismissed this theory. My heart was fluttering from thirty-five years of hitting it too hard. It's part of the price I've paid for being Ric Flair." [Thanks to Keith Harris of CagesideSeats.com and Dot Net readers Gary Shafer and Sam Saunders]

Powell's POV: Online medical websites suggest that the effects of the condition are reversible. However, abstaining from alcohol consumption is considered the key, and it's no secret that Flair continues to drink.

WWE implemented cardiovascular testing in 2006. Flair worked for the company before and after the testing started. Thus, he would have been subjected to the tests, and the administrators were apparently satisfied with the results, as he continued to wrestle for the company until his retirement match - which was planned a year in advance - in 2008.

Flair has since gone on to work for TNA, which does not comment on its testing policies or procedures. However, one current TNA performer told me that the company performs cardio/heart rate testing every six months.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: