Flamengo coach Tite will miss this Sunday’s Brasileirão fixture against Red Bull Bragantino at Maracanã. Following a medical emergency due to altitude-induced arrhythmia after their Libertadores match in La Paz, Tite was hospitalized with an elevated heart rate.
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How high altitude affected Coach Tite’s health
Altitude can have defining effects on health, especially when someone isn’t used to high elevations. When Tite was in La Paz, which sits at around 3,640 meters above sea level, the thin air likely contributed to his health issues.
At such high altitudes, the air contains less oxygen, which can cause the heart to pump faster and harder to distribute enough oxygen throughout the body.
This strain can lead to an elevated heart rate and, in some cases, arrhythmias like Atrial Fibrillation—the irregular and often rapid heart rate Tite experienced.
For someone like Tite, who may not have been acclimatized to such conditions, the sudden exposure to low oxygen levels could stress the heart enough to trigger these symptoms.
Tite experienced these health issues shortly after Flamengo’s bus was attacked, leaving the Hernando Siles stadium, adding stress to an already tense situation.
The club confirmed his condition is stabilizing, thanks to prompt treatment, but he’ll require a couple of days’ rest, ruling him out of the weekend’s activities.
O Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informa que o técnico Tite apresentou boa evolução clínica com o tratamento instituído. A arritmia foi revertida e o ritmo cardíaco normalizado.
A alta está prevista para amanhã, com recomendação médica de repouso por 48 horas.
Desta forma, o…
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) August 23, 2024
Tite’s substitute
Medical tests conducted at Rio de Janeiro’s Copa Star Hospital revealed Tite suffered from Atrial Fibrillation, a treatable condition that was managed quickly with medication.
While the coach is expected to be discharged on Saturday, he won’t be returning to duties immediately. Instead, his son, Matheus Bachi, will step in as the interim coach for the upcoming game.
The absence of their main strategist could impact team dynamics, as Bachi will have to quickly adapt to his temporary role against a competitive Bragantino side.
