Carlton Palmer: Former Premier League footballer hospitalised after suffering heart problems

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United star Carlton Palmer was admitted to hospital on Sunday after suffering a “minor heart attack” while running the Sheffield half marathon.

Palmer, who was raising money for various charities including Cavendish Cancer Care, complained of heart problems within the first mile, before completing the 13-mile ride during which her heart rate increased to a dangerously high 232 bpm.

The 57-year-old had to go to hospital after the race, where he underwent several medical tests, having revealed that his heart was “racing” at the start of the half marathon.

At 3am this morning, Palmer explained that he had been kept overnight and updated fans on his Twitter account when he said: “Just to let everyone know that I’m doing well, that I’ve been kept overnight at the hospital Observation/Tests Heart worked again within the first mile but I made it through the ride. Congratulations to my beautiful wife for spending less than two hours, I love you.’

He posted a subsequent update revealing he had suffered a ‘suspicious little heart attack’ when he tweeted: ‘Thank you so much for all the lovely messages I’ve had in hospital with a suspicious little heart attack, want to know what caused this problem so that the tests are ongoing. I will keep you informed. Gutted, he was flying to Portugal at 4pm with @LucyPal16907599.’

Palmer stayed overnight for observations and tests before updating fans on his health.

He was hospitalized after running the Sheffield Half Marathon with his wife Lucy Kirkby-Palmer.

He then revealed that he had, in fact, suffered a “suspicious little heart attack” during the race.

Palmer also shared various stats from the race on his Twitter account.

The 57-year-old finished the half marathon in an impressive time of two hours, nine minutes and 21 seconds and ran alongside his wife, Lucy Kirkby-Palmer, who completed it in less than two hours.

The update to his followers was accompanied by various stats from his run, such as the revelation that he burned 2,230 kcal of calories during the run, along with his high heart rate.

Former Sky Sports presenter Chris Kamara was one of many supporters who responded to Palmer, saying: “I’m not the best person to talk about ignoring the Carlton stuff but still running 10k with palpitations.” Are you sure! But I’m glad you’re okay.

Earlier in the weekend, Palmer had tweeted before the race: ‘It’s time to rock and roll at the Sheffield Half Marathon tomorrow @lucypal16907588 and I’m ready to go, please support our charity. We appreciate.’

This is not the first time Palmer has suffered from heart problems, as the former West Brom youngster had to undergo a life-saving five-hour operation for a heart condition in 2016.

At the time, the former midfielder had just started a Masters soccer match between England and Germany in Singapore despite being advised not to play by his wife and doctor after earlier health fears.

Reflecting on the incident in 2017, he told Sportsmail’s Matt Barlow that he knew something was wrong immediately.

“I was fighting for my life,” he recounted. ‘I could feel the air leaving my body. My heart was pounding like it was trying to get out of my chest and it was getting worse.

He had always been rather frivolous about death. When it comes, it comes, that was my attitude, but now I was thinking, f*** me, and all the things I should have done were running through my mind.

Palmer (third from left) represented several clubs and also amassed 18 caps for England.

‘Someone was yelling, ‘He’s going to arrest,’ and someone else was yelling ‘Quick’ and I was lying in the cart with my arms and legs at my sides and I thought that was a stupid way to die.’

After making a name for himself at West Brom between 1984 and 1989, Palmer moved to Sheffield Wednesday where he became a cult hero with the fans, racking up over 200 appearances over a five-year period.

He then moved to Leeds, where he played over 100 times, while also representing clubs including Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Coventry and Stockport before retiring.

Palmer, meanwhile, made 18 appearances for England and participated in Euro 1992 with Graham Taylor’s team.