Brian May, the celebrated Queen guitarist, has publicly disclosed his recent health scare involving a stroke that temporarily impaired his left arm.
May shared that after a challenging week, he is still capable of playing guitar, despite fears of permanent damage, New York Post reported.
Last Wednesday morning, the 77-year-old musician used Instagram to communicate with his fans about his stroke. The incident, described as a minor stroke by his medical team, occurred unexpectedly about a week prior.
In an emotional video post, May discussed the moment he lost control of his arm. "It was a little scary," he admitted, but he quickly reassured his audience by demonstrating his ability to move his fingers.
Not only did May want to inform his fans about his health, but he also aimed to reassure them of his ongoing recovery. "The good news is I'm okay," he said, expressing gratitude for the quick response and care he received from medical professionals.
May's health journey has been fraught with serious issues in the past, including a "very near death" heart attack in 2020. During that time, doctors found that he had three blocked arteries, for which he was promptly fitted with three stents to keep his arteries open.
Reflecting on his heart health, the musician shared his perplexity over the incident, considering his healthy lifestyle. "I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t have high cholesterol, and I was exercising through the tour," he told The Times in a previous interview.
The complications extended beyond his heart. May recounted an alarming episode where a medication-related "stomach explosion" almost cost him his life. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to his recovery and maintaining his heart's improved condition.
Current medical advice has put certain restrictions on May’s daily activities. He humorously mentioned that he's not allowed to drive or travel by plane to avoid any activities that might elevate his heart rate. "Not allowed to have planes flying over, which will stress me," he said, indicating how serious his condition remains.
While explaining his recovery process, May emphasized his reluctance to draw sympathetic concerns from his fan base. "Please don't do that because it’ll clutter up my inbox and I hate that," he quipped, maintaining his upbeat demeanor throughout the ordeal.
Despite these limitations, May appeared in good spirits in his video, speaking about his situation with an optimistic outlook. His approach to handling his health has been pragmatic, focusing on adherence to medical advice while staying grounded at home.
May’s revelation comes after a significant period in his career. His last appearance on stage was in February when Queen completed a five-date tour across Japan, wrapping up on February 14th.
The legendary musician’s resilience in the face of severe health challenges has only bolstered his esteemed status in the music world. In 2023, he was honored by King Charles III, being made a Knight Bachelor for his services to music and charity.
Looking forward, May’s situation underscores the unpredictability of health issues, even among those who actively manage their lifestyle choices. As he continues to recover, his story serves as a reminder of the tenacity needed to confront such personal trials.
The Post has reached out to May’s representatives for further comment on his condition and plans, awaiting responses that could shed more light on the next chapter for this revered musician.
