Cameron Menzies has opened up about a serious health scare that prompted a dramatic personal transformation, revealing he has heart issues that led to a significant weight loss and a renewed focus on his wellbeing. The 36-year-old Scot made the revelation after his 6-1 first-round victory over Dutchman Sietse Lap at the 2026 Belgian Darts Open, where he will now face 13th seed Ross Smith in the second round.
Menzies told Tungsten Tales that he has "issues with my heart," including high blood pressure and an ectopic heartbeat, noting a family history of heart problems. This health concern served as a wake-up call, driving him to lose weight from 21 and a half stone down to 80kg on doctor's orders. He described his current state by saying, "Life generally is in a good place compared to maybe three or four months ago," and added, "I'm at the gym and just trying to look after myself a bit more."
A key component of his mental turnaround has been hypnotherapy, which Menzies credits as "a massive thing" that makes life easier. He detailed the process: "It's only one hour a week. We talk for 10 minutes, then I put the headphones in and there's a soundtrack while he talks to you. Nine times out of 10 he's talking to your subconscious." This support is partly facilitated by the PDPA, which provided an eight-week programme—he is currently on his seventh week—and he hopes to continue with it because "it does help."
Despite his comfortable win, Menzies admitted his performance was nervous and not at his desired level, but he prioritized the result after a difficult start to the year. He reflected on the pressure of modern darts, stating, "The game is massive and you don't realise the pressure when things aren't going right. It's a dark place to be in." However, he remains optimistic, concluding, "Life's good at the moment. The sun's shining, which is a big thing – especially as a Scotsman, you don't get that very often. I feel like I'm in a good place."
