A heart condition has prompted Auckland-born NRL referee Henry Perenara to retire at the age of 40.<\/p>\n
Perenara, who played one test for the Kiwis in 2001, has been an NRL referee since 2011, after playing 72 first grade matches in the NRL for five clubs.<\/p>\n
He is a cousin of All Blacks TJ Perenara and Sonny Bill Williams.<\/p>\n
Perenara has been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, an abnormally fast heartbeat that causes shortness of breath, dizziness sweating or fainting, The Daily Telegraph reported.<\/p>\n
He almost collapsed at training a week ago, Perenara told the newspaper. At times his heart raced to about 230 beats per minute.<\/p>\n
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A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, but a fit athlete might be closer to 40 beats per minute.<\/p>\n
"I nearly blacked out," he said. "I don't remember much of it, but that's when I had to make the decision to give it away. You certainly don't want to risk it happening in a game."<\/p>\n
He said he had battled the disease for almost 15 years. At times it struck during games.<\/p>\n
"I just kept pushing through it. It's not life-threatening, but it's not good either. It feels like your heart is beating out of your chest. It's happened in games, but I've just tried to mask it."<\/p>\n
A cardiologist diagnosed him in February and put him on medication, which made him lethargic. He quit after two months.<\/p>\n