Sad Business about Antonio

France prop Uini Atonio has been forced to retire after he was admitted to an intensive care unit following a "cardiac event".

The 35-year-old was taken to a hospital in La Rochelle on Tuesday with his club saying he suffered a suspected heart problem, and is now in a stable condition.

"Following his hospitalisation, Uini will have to undergo a long period of recovery," said French Top 14 side La Rochelle, his team since 2011.

Atonio, who was born in New Zealand, qualified to play for France through residency and made 68 appearances for his adoptive country.

During his career the giant prop won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and was selected for their World Cup squads in 2015 and 2023.

He started all five games as France regained the Six Nations in 2025, and was selected in their provisional squad for this year's tournament.

However, he was withdrawn from the squad earlier this week. It is unclear whether that was for sporting or medical reasons.

"Uini is a wonderful person who really mattered both as a player and as a man within the group," France's forwards coach William Servat said on Wednesday.

"Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, his children, his wife - that's what matters today.

These huge men straining to the limit sometimes for 80 minutes must be at risk, particularly as they get into their mid thirties.

It’s a great shame for him.

I also worry about the damage the supplements they all take causes….

I take creatine, aminos and protein. But I absolutely refuse to use pre-workout.

There is no way that stuff doesn't damage your heart. It's got crazy amounts of stimulants and a bunch of other stuff in it that makes the workout easier but raises one's heart rate to crazy levels. I don't trust it at all and it wouldn't surprise me if we end up discovering that it's behind a lot of these heart issues that people experience.

I agree, Plum.

It’s a big worry.

Genetics attribution ... half of lifespan is heritable 55%

choose your parents.

I hope Uini has a long & healthy life.

Apparently pre-workout supplements are linked to cardiovascular issues. Seems my hunch was correct;

GPT;

Yes — pre-workout supplements have been implicated in heart-related problems and other serious cardiovascular events, particularly when misused or containing potent stimulants. However, the evidence varies from case reports and observational associations to mixed research findings, and no single product type is universally proven to cause heart disease in all users. Here’s a clear breakdown of what we know:

?? Reported Heart-Related Issues Linked to Pre-Workouts

1. Increased heart rate and blood pressure

1. Many pre-workouts contain stimulants like caffeine, synephrine, or other compounds that raise heart rate and blood pressure, which can stress the cardiovascular system — especially in high doses or in sensitive individuals.

2. Palpitations and arrhythmias

1. Ingredients such as synephrine and excessive caffeine have been linked in case reports to heart palpitations, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and symptoms like chest discomfort.

3. Serious events in rare cases

1. There are published case reports of stroke and heart attack occurring shortly after taking certain pre-workout supplements — e.g., stimulant-containing formulas — in otherwise healthy individuals. However, these are isolated cases and do not prove a direct causal link for all products.

4. Case reports of hospitalizations and death

1. Reviews of supplement safety have documented cardiovascular adverse events — like ischemia (reduced blood flow), arrhythmias, or strokes — in people using high-stimulant or contaminated products. Some implicated ingredients include methylhexanamine (DMAA) and ephedra (banned in many places due to risk).

?? What Research Shows

1. A scientific review notes that multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements can cause cardiovascular changes, but these effects vary — from possible benefits to adverse risks — depending on ingredients, dose, and user health.
2. Many studies are small, with conflicting results, so there isn’t a definitive consensus yet on long-term heart risk for typical use in healthy adults.

?? What Experts Warn

1. Healthcare professionals often caution that people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, or stimulant sensitivities should avoid or use pre-workouts only under medical supervision.
2. “Proprietary blends” without transparent dosing make it hard to know how much stimulant a product contains, increasing risk of unintended high intake.

?? Key Takeaways

1. Moderate stimulant intake — even from coffee — is usually safe for most healthy adults, but concentrated doses in supplements can have stronger effects.
2. High doses, misuse (e.g., “dry scooping”), combination with other stimulants, or underlying heart issues increase risk of adverse cardiovascular reactions.
3. Serious events are rare but have been reported and linked in the literature to pre-workout use.

Bottom line: pre-workouts have been blamed in some cases for heart problems, especially when misused or in people with risk factors. If you’re considering using them — particularly regularly or at high doses — it’s sensible to talk with a healthcare provider, watch total stimulant intake, and choose products with clear, third-party verified labeling.

Then add in Red Bull

Must admit, I do buy one of those every now and then.

One of those massive cans and chilli bites...my long drive food. No wonder i tend to have to stop at every filling station on the way hahaha