The cause of Matty Johns' severe pain was later confirmed to be nerve problems around his spine and sternum, not a heart attack.
The Newcastle Knights legend was taken to hospital by ambulance earlier in the week after pain around his ribs became unbearable.
He initially thought the discomfort was linked to old injuries from his playing days.
After he went to bed, the situation worsened, and he called for an ambulance amid fears he might be having a heart attack.