Former Melbourne and Fremantle ruckman Jeff White reveals health battle that nearly claimed his life

FORMER Melbourne and Fremantle star Jeff White has revealed the terrifying health battle that nearly claimed his life after he suffered a stroke last year that was caused by a hole in his heart.

FORMER Melbourne and Fremantle star Jeff White has revealed the terrifying health battle that nearly claimed his life.

White, 40, suffered a stroke in August last year after experiencing occasional dizzy spells that would “often quickly turn to passing out”.

But on August 31, it was different.

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“I felt like my balance was going to the left and felt like someone was pushing me and I turned around and my arm was just stuck and I couldn’t feel my arm, couldn’t move my arm, I had no control over it whatsoever,” White said.

The All-Australian ruckman felt better after lying down and the issues with his arm had passed but had no idea what happened. His wife convinced him to go to the doctor.

It was revealed White had suffered a stroke and the former Demon was required to undergo a series of tests to discover the cause.

He was finally diagnosed with a hole in his heart.

Jeff White played 268 games for Fremantle and Melbourne.

White underwent successful heart surgery last month after being fitted with a microchip to monitor his heart, which triggers an alarm should there be any irregularities.

“Everyone is born with a hole in their heart — a little flap — but something like 92 per cent (of people) have it close over within the first few months of birth,” White said.

“I was in the eight per cent that it didn’t.”

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The former Melbourne ruckman said he was “s--- scared” before undergoing the operation but is grateful to be given a second chance.

“For me it just puts everything in perspective,” he told Channel 9. “Life can change so quickly.

“You treasure every moment, you treasure every day.”

The father of three opened up about his health battle the day after his heart surgery on his Instagram page, paying tribute to his wife, his family, his doctors and “the big guy from above”.

“On that day. my life could of (sic) changed forever,” he wrote. “And you know what, it did. The big guy from above handed me a golden ticket and said ‘son, your time’s not up but you need to check things out. Life is a gift. Focus on what you can control, focus on your passion to make a difference and 100% commit to it.’

“This is my daily motto. Trust your instincts, never give up, do things that make you happy and take action on things you can control.

Jeff White and his family. White had a stroke last and required heart surgery last month.

“My life was millimetres away from being life-changing for the worse. Trust your instincts and follow your heart.”

White said his health battle should be a warning to everyone to take action if something doesn’t feel right.

“If you’re having any symptoms whatsoever, just don’t be afraid to go and check it out,” he said.

“I sort of diagnosed myself as just being tired I guess on the day. But if we hadn’t have made those steps to go forward then we wouldn't have found the hole in my heart and who knows what could have happened.

“There are so many people out there that I know that have had strokes and are going through really tough times and I pour my heart out to them because I’ve been through that experience.”