Sharks and Springboks prop Tendai Mtawarira is in hospital in Cape Town for testing on a heart condition that has been worrying the big front ranker.

Mtawarira recently broke his ankle in training, which will keep him out for four months according to Sharks team doctor Ewoudt van der Linde.

Van der Linde confirmed that the big loosehead had travelled to Cape Town for testing, having had problems with heart palpitations.

However, the doctor made it clear that the condition was hereditary and would not threaten to bring a premature end to Mtawarira's rugby career.

"There is a family history and the condition is hereditary. But it is not so serious," Van der Linde told Bulawayo24.com.

"It's nothing new and has happened many times in matches before. Beast is used to it already. This is not the first and also not the last time it will happen. It especially happens with a lot of married men," he quipped.

The 26-year-old's ankle injury means there is an opportunity to do some testing while he has a break from rugby.

"Beast has been struggling with the condition for quite some time and because he is recovering from his ankle injury, we thought it would be the opportune time to send him to Cape Town for treatment," Van der Linde explained.

"They have a new procedure [at the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital] where the heart is treated with lasers. Hopefully it will solve his problem."

It is expected that Mtawarira will return to Durban on Tuesday.