Atrial fibrillation is a common heart arrhythmia. According to the Heart Foundation, a healthy heart beats at a steady rhythm of between 60 and 100 beats per minute, controlled by regular electrical signals. This is known as sinus rhythm.<\/p>\n
When you have atrial fibrillation, those signals become erratic, causing the heart\u2019s top two chambers \u2013 the atria \u2013 to twitch or quiver, making your heartbeat irregular and often faster than normal.<\/p>\n
While not immediately life-threatening, the condition significantly raises the risk of stroke and heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump blood around the body effectively.<\/p>\n
Kevin Mealamu being trained by Monty Betham for Fight for Life. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
Not everyone experiences symptoms. In Mealamu\u2019s case, he recalls simply struggling to cope with the boxing training.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs someone that\u2019s come from team sports, it was very tough. It was a lot tougher than preparing for rugby,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the lead-up, I just thought that\u2019s how hard it was, that maybe I was struggling with the preparation just because it was hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
When he was diagnosed, his first response was, \u201cMan, all this work I\u2019ve done has been a waste of time\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, he was soon grateful the condition hadn\u2019t gone undetected for longer. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you get a chance to reflect, you go, \u2018How lucky am I, that I found this out earlier and I\u2019m able to do something about it?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a blessing in disguise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Risk factors for atrial fibrillation include age, high blood pressure, other types of heart disease, genetics, sleep apnoea and drinking alcohol.<\/p>\n
In Mealamu\u2019s case, it\u2019s not clear exactly what caused it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hear that it\u2019s quite common with sportspeople,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s from years of just pushing to the limit. I think a lot of it is around fatigue. I just couldn\u2019t differentiate between, \u2018I\u2019m training really hard\u2019, and \u2018Something\u2019s actually not right\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keven Mealamu found out he had atrial fibrillation while preparing for a charity boxing match. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray <\/p>\n
In the years since receiving his diagnosis, the 47-year-old has undergone several procedures to get his heart rhythm back to normal, including cardioversion, which involves using an electric shock to reset the heart\u2019s rhythm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a couple of those done … it worked for a little bit, but [my heart] went back into fibrillation.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also had two ablations. This involves inserting a tiny catheter into the heart via a blood vessel in the groin, neck or shoulder. The catheter delivers either heat or extreme cold energy to create small scars on the heart, as the faulty signals that cause atrial fibrillation can\u2019t pass through scar tissue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first one was successful for a little bit, and then it went back into fibrillation,\u201d Mealamu says.<\/p>\n
A second round a couple of months ago successfully reset his heart to the correct rhythm, \u201cso I\u2019m really stoked\u201d.<\/p>\n
Now, life is about maintaining his health and wellbeing, not just for his own sake, but for his family and community. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s around medication … that\u2019s really hard if you\u2019re not used to taking medication, so just trying to get my head around doing that consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mealamu also needs to ensure he\u2019s getting enough sleep and eating properly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut also just having a look at life again … \u2018Am I training to be an athlete or am I training just for wellbeing and long life?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
As an athlete, he\u2019s used to the cycle of injury and recovery. During his time as an All Black, he ruptured a chest tendon and dealt with repeated calf strains.<\/p>\n
But recovery means something different now. These days, it\u2019s about long-term, sustainable wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about stopping moving, it\u2019s just moving smarter.\u201d <\/p>\n
Now, life is about maintaining his health and overall wellbeing, Mealamu says. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray<\/p>\n
Mealamu says it\u2019s led to more open conversations with his loved ones about health.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just puts to the forefront everyone\u2019s wellbeing: physical wellbeing, mental health. Because I think it\u2019s all related.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think some of the condition that I have comes through a bit of stress as well. [I\u2019m] trying to manage that well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the conversation we have, and it\u2019s not just our immediate family, but making sure we can have these conversations with our wider family as well and even our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Men in particular often delay seeking treatment for health issues, or hesitate to talk openly about them.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes it\u2019s just pride and it\u2019s not wanting to let people down,\u201d Mealamu says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it comes from a good place, but it\u2019s about realising that actually, the longer we\u2019re around, the more we can do to look after the people that we love.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s funny, sometimes we look at it backwards. We just try and look after other people, but if you\u2019re not around, you can\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s found another helpful outlet in art, which he says helps give him a sense of peace about his condition.<\/p>\n
Keven Mealamu’s artwork represents his health journey since his diagnosis with atrial fibrillation in 2022.<\/p>\n
His most recent work depicts a heart filled with hand-drawn patterns representing his Samoan heritage, with bird of paradise flowers symbolising growth and resilience. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a tribute to his physical, mental and spiritual health journey since his diagnosis.<\/p>\n
The artwork is part of a hand-painted mural in Waterloo, London, alongside the work of 20 other artists, athletes and public figures, each representing a personal health journey in support of Bupa\u2019s Express Your Health campaign.<\/p>\n
The three-time All Blacks captain\u2019s work features alongside that of Olympic diver Tom Daley and Australian football league player Cody Weightman, among others.<\/p>\n
For Mealamu, art has always \u201cbeen a part of life\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember going over to my grandparents\u2019 house and seeing all my uncles\u2019 art boards around the house,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mum was always creative as well, so I think that\u2019s where I picked up the love for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pursuing art and graphics during school led him to take on a signwriting apprenticeship while chasing his early rugby dreams. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think there was always something in me that really loved the creative side [of things].\u201d<\/p>\n
As a professional athlete he\u2019s used to the spotlight, but having his artwork come under scrutiny was something else entirely.<\/p>\n
His diagnosis has led to more open conversations with his family about health. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray<\/p>\n
\u201cIt felt easier going out and playing [rugby] in front of 100,000 people than it did putting my art in front of people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember at school, there were artists I thought were heaps better than me. Putting work out, I was like, \u2018This feels a bit uncomfortable\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he\u2019s gone on to have his artwork published, illustrating several kids\u2019 books to raise thousands for Starship children\u2019s hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201c[That was] something really special to be a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n