NRL 2024: Hame Sele likely to be ruled out for season with serious heart condition, cardiologists to conduct an echocardiogram

Hame Sele is almost certain to be ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious heart condition which can be deadly if untreated. See what the next steps are for the Dragons prop.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 10: Hame Sele of the Dragons tackles Josh Curran of the Bulldogs during the round 23 NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on August 10, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

St George Illawarra prop Hame Sele is almost certain to be ruled out for the rest of this season after being diagnosed with pericardial effusion, a serious heart condition which can be deadly if untreated.

Cardiologists were due to consult with Sele on Monday afternoon and conduct an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to reveal how blood flows through the heart and heart valves.

Sele, 27, who previously played for Penrith and Souths, was transferred from emergency to a ward at St George Private Hospital on Monday.

A Sydney doctor claimed it would be “highly unlikely” that Sele would play again this season.

Sele came from the field with shortness of breath and chest pains during the Dragons game against Canterbury at Kogarah on Saturday night and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Doctors claim Sele is suffering from pericardial effusion, which is fluid around the sack of his heart. He is taking antibiotics to reduce the inflammation.

There is no time frame around when Sele may be released from hospital or when he could return to rugby league.

Hame Sele has been diagnosed with pericardial effusion. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Test results will provide the answer but it is becoming increasingly unlikely Sele – a former Australian Schoolboy and NSW under 20s player – will play again this season.

With just four rounds remaining, a leading Sydney doctor said: “It would be highly unlikely he would play again within a four to six week time frame. We’re dealing with the heart, which can be medically catastrophic and fatal.

“There can be lots of repercussions with cardiac illness. You’re not going to take any risks until you’re absolutely certain everything is okay.

Hame Sele has been sent to hospital after leaving the field due to an irregular heartbeat in the first half.

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“Pericardial effusion can be caused by a virus and associated with other medical and viral diseases. It’s a complex problem to resolve, find its potential cause and manage.”

Sele’s condition was exacerbated after contracting a flu illness three weeks ago. His medical issues were not instigated or increased by playing rugby league.

Asked if Sele would play again this year, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said: “I don’t know, I really don’t know.

“He is still in a bit of pain and is on antibiotics and painkillers. He’s pretty crook to be honest. It’s more about anxiety in regards to what just happened to him.

Hame Sele left Kogarah in an ambulance on Saturday night. Picture: Fox League

“It’s Pleurisy. You can have Pleurisy on your lungs, this is like a Pleurisy to the heart. Does he need a good break? How does he go when his heart-rate goes up? Then there’s training. I don’t know all the answers. It’s wait-and-see.

“The cardiologist is going to see him this afternoon. Hopefully the inflammation goes down. I just spoke to Hame on the phone. He has a really young family, four young girls, and they had just come to see him.

“Hame’s health is more important than anything else. There’s no mucking round when it comes to the heart.

“He has a bright future and hopefully this isn’t a long-term (illness) that we have to worry about. Hopefully it’s just a short-term stay out of the game.

The respected Mayo Clinic writes: “Pericardial effusion can put pressure on the heart, affecting how the heart works. If untreated, it may lead to heart failure or death in extreme cases.”

During commentary on the game, Fox League’s Greg Alexander said: “That’s not your run of the mill things that happen to a player, that’s alarming.”