Brian May: Queen guitarist suffers minor stroke but says he's OK
Source of the image, PA Media
Sir Brian mentioned that he is currently prohibited from elevating his heart rate too much.
Queen's guitarist, Sir Brian May, shared that he experienced a small stroke that led to temporary loss of use in his left arm.
Yet, the rock star, who is 77 years old, stated that he is feeling better now and has recovered enough to be able to perform music once more.
"I'm happy to report that I am able to play the guitar again after recent events," he announced in a video shared on his website yesterday.
I mentioned this because there was some uncertainty due to a slight health issue I experienced about a week ago, which the doctors diagnosed as a minor stroke.
Suddenly, without warning, I lost control of my arm. It was quite frightening, to be honest.
Picture credit, Getty Images
May penned some of Queen's most popular songs, such as We Will Rock You, Who Wants to Live Forever, and Flash.
He spoke highly of the doctors at Frimley Hospital in Surrey, where he arrived in an ambulance with lights flashing, describing the experience as very thrilling.
"So, the great news is I'm fine. I'm simply following instructions and not doing much at all."
He mentioned being "grounded", saying he is not permitted to leave the house, drive, fly, or engage in strenuous exercise.
Brian recorded the video outside, and he made a joke when a plane flew by, saying: "I'm not supposed to have planes interrupting me, but I'm handling it just fine."
The celebrity mentioned that he chose not to speak out when he had a minor stroke because he didn't want people to feel sorry for him.
"Please refrain from doing that as it will fill up my email with unnecessary messages, which I strongly dislike," he continued.
The announcement comes nearly two weeks after the airing of a documentary on BBC One hosted by Sir Brian, discussing his efforts to safeguard badgers from being culled.
In his latest video, he also talked about the program, mentioning that it had received positive feedback from farmers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Hunting badgers is employed as a method to stop the transmission of tuberculosis in cows.
The musician stated: "We've faced strong opposition from certain groups, and it's important to pay attention to where the criticism is coming from, as it often reveals who is feeling the most insecure."
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, among others, criticized the show for not including important evidence that could have educated viewers about bovine TB.
According to the NHS, a stroke is a severe and potentially fatal medical emergency caused by a blockage of blood flow to a specific area of the brain.
A common indicator is when the individual experiences a lack of strength or sensation in one arm, in addition to one side of their face seeming to droop and their speech sounding mumbled or unclear.
There is also a similar condition known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), where the flow of blood to the brain is momentarily stopped, leading to what is commonly referred to as a "mini-stroke".
Learn more about how to recognize the signs of a stroke on the NHS website, which can be accessed externally.
May suffered a stroke in May four years after experiencing a minor heart attack.
When he found out, he was surprised to discover that his health wasn't as good as he had believed, and he was close to dying.
He found that three of his arteries were clogged and at risk of blocking blood flow to his heart. As a result, he underwent a surgical procedure to insert three stents - small tubes that help keep blocked arteries open.
May's talent as a guitar player, songwriter, and singer played a major role in catapulting Queen to become one of the most successful bands globally during the 1970s and 80s.
He composed popular songs like We Will Rock You, Who Wants to Live Forever, and Flash, collaborating with others on additional tracks.
Following the passing of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, the group has carried on - with guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon now performing alongside vocalist Adam Lambert.
Besides his involvement in music, May is also recognized for his advocacy for animal rights. In 2007, he completed his PhD in astrophysics, 36 years after putting his thesis on hold due to the band's success.
He is wed to former actress from the TV show EastEnders, Anita Dobson.
