Cameron Menzies loses five stone after hand surgery and World Matchplay scare

Darts player Cameron Menzies has lost five stone after hand surgery and a medical scare at the World Matchplay threatened to derail his career, he has told BBC Scotland.

The 37-year-old Scot needed an operation on his hand after repeatedly punching a drinks table on stage following his first-round exit at the PDC World Championships last December.

A scare at the World Matchplay

Menzies also made headlines in the summer when he needed medical attention during his World Matchplay match against Ross Smith, which he had to forfeit. The dizzy spell was put down to high blood pressure caused by dehydration.

I looked at the board and I just felt like everything was spinning.

Menzies said he was taken off the stage, where paramedics and first aid staff checked his blood pressure, which he said was over 200. He said an ambulance was discussed, but the reading fell sharply once he had a drink of water.

He said he was not allowed to leave the venue until medics were happy with the reading. After returning to Glasgow the next day, he went to the Royal Infirmary for blood tests, which he said pointed to high blood pressure from dehydration.

Menzies now has a blood pressure machine at home and uses it as often as he can. He also says he drinks far more water. He said it was warm that day, he had a lot of television commitments and he had not looked after himself because it had never happened before.

Losing weight for his heart

Menzies said his heaviest weight was 21 and a half stone and that he only realised how big he was when he saw pictures of himself.

He said he lost weight for his health after a hospital visit last year, when he learned he has an ectopic heartbeat, meaning his heart skips an extra beat. He said doctors told him to try losing weight before considering tablets.

He says his weight has dropped to a level where he does not need them.

A simple fitness routine

Menzies said he usually runs 5k and does few weights because they would hamper his throwing. He added that exercise helps both his physical and mental health, and that he never leaves the gym feeling bad.