Fitness influencer Joey Swoll is recovering after being rushed to the hospital in what Coach Greg Doucette says was almost certainly a heart attack. According to sources, this marks the second such medical emergency for Swoll in the span of about a year or two.
Swoll confirmed the hospitalization two years ago himself, writing, “Last week I was having some really really bad chest pains. I decided to not be a tough guy. Go get it checked out. And it turns out I ended up being rushed into lifesaving heart surgery. Today, one week later, I feel amazing. I feel great. And today is actually my birthday.”
He added, “Over this past year, I am so grateful for all of the success I’ve had, the failures, the lessons learned, the wisdom gained, but most of all, I am so grateful. I am so thankful for all of you.”
Swoll also posted on Instagram about his recent hospital visit, writing, “I was rushed to the hospital Saturday morning for my heart. It’s been a rough few days, I’m still here, but doing better. Please send love and prayers. ”
Doucette examined a photo from Swoll’s hospital stay and pointed to a radial artery compression device on his right hand as evidence of what procedure took place. According to Doucette, that device indicates Swoll underwent a coronary angiogram, a cardiac catheterization in which doctors thread a catheter through the wrist’s radial artery up to the heart, inject dye to locate a blockage or narrow opening, then use a balloon to open the area before placing a stent to keep the artery clear.
Doucette, who says he previously used roids but now stays on hormone replacement therapy, believes Swoll’s genetics may be a contributing factor. He pointed to what he described as a partial corneal arcus around Swoll’s eyes, visible in older footage, suggesting a possible case of familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition linked to high cholesterol.
“That normally doesn’t form until you’re in your 70s. But if you have very high cholesterol, it can cause to happen a lot younger,” Doucette said.
One commenter summed up the broader reaction: “Time to get off the gear, brother. Your family and life is more important than being insanely huge. God bless and glad you’re okay.”
Doucette echoed that sentiment, arguing Swoll could stop lifting weights entirely for 20 years and still retain more muscle than most people, and urged him to lower his roid doses rather than continue chasing size.
