Kris Letang out Indefinitely
Penguins’ defender Kris Letang suffered a stroke on Monday and will be out indefinitely.
Photo by Jeanine Leech
The 35-year-old Penguins defenseman is fortunately not experiencing any lasting effects of the stroke, but will continue to go through medical testing to monitor his health. Pittsburgh fans will likely recall that this is not the first time Letang has been out due to health concerns. In 2014, Letang was out for over two months due to a stroke.
After his first stroke, medical testing revealed that Letang has a patent foramen ovale, a hole between left and right atria of the heart. Everyone has a hole between their left and right atria before birth, but it typically closes after birth. The hole is known as a PFO if it has failed to close naturally after birth. Unless the person has other heart defects, there are typically no other complications from PFO, but people with PFO are at a higher risk for a stroke.
Letang’s condition is not life or career threatening. Penguins fans can find comfort in general manager Ron Hexells comments “This is much less severe than what happened 8 years ago. There’s a lot of comfort in that,” and also in knowing that Letang has played 543 regular season games since his initial stroke in 2014.
There haven’t been any further updates on Letang’s condition or projected return, but all are wishing him a speedy recovery.
Sources:
“About Patent Foramen Ovale.” Pennmedicine.org, https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/patent-foramen-ovale.
Darnay, Mike. “Kris Letang to Be Sidelined Indefinitely after Suffering a Stroke.” PensBurgh, PensBurgh, 30 Nov. 2022, https://www.pensburgh.com/2022/11/30/23486366/kris-letang-stroke-pittsburgh-penguins-sidelined-indefinitely-injury.
NHL.com, and Pittsburgh Penguins. “Kris Letang out Indefinitely after Having Stroke.” NHL.com, NHL.com, 30 Nov. 2022, https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/kris-letang-out-indefinitely-after-having-stroke/c-338219704.
Teotonio, Isabel. “Why Did 26-Year-Old Pittsburgh Penguin Kris Letang Have a Stroke?” Thestar.com, Toronto Star, 7 Feb. 2014, https://www.thestar.com/life/2014/02/07/why_did_26yearold_pittsburgh_penguin_kris_letang_have_a_stroke.html.
