Jimmy Osmond health: Brother gives update after singer's serious health battle

Jimmy Osmond captured hearts on both sides of the Atlantic during the 1970s as one part of the sibling musical group the Osmonds. This proved to be the beginning of a long and illustrious career, which would see him accumulate six gold records, one platinum record, and two gold albums as a solo artist. The star flaunted his acting talents a couple of years back. Jimmy was performing in Peter Pan as the role of Captain Hook. Unfortunately, Jimmy’s theatrical turn ended up with him in hospital.

At the time of the incident, a spokesman for Jimmy said in a statement: “He is grateful for all the well wishes and will be taking time out in the new year.”

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

“Ischaemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. They happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain,” explains the NHS.

If you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance, advises the health body.

The FAST test helps to spot the three most common symptoms of stroke. But there are other signs that you should always take seriously.

These include:

  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
  • Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
  • Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
  • Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall.
  • A sudden, severe headache.

Can I reduce my risk?

Strokes don’t usually come out of the blue – More than two dozen factors make it more likely a person will suffer a stroke.

According to Harvard Health, smoking is the main risk factor for stroke. What’s more, smoking makes just about all your other stroke risks worse.

“If you smoke cigarettes, you know what you need to do. Nothing will help you prevent a stroke more than quitting,” says the health body.

You should also cut back on saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, but don’t be afraid of foods with healthy unsaturated fats, it says.

Other key tips include:

  • Lose weight. Get down to what your doctor considers a healthy weight for you.
  • Drink less alcohol. If you drink, keep it moderate (that’s no more than two drinks a day for a man, no more than one a day for a woman), and remember that a drink is only an ounce and a half of liquor, five ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer. And no bingeing on weekends, even if you don’t drink at all on weekdays.
  • Exercise. Are you sitting down? Get up! Your couch may be one of your biggest stroke risks. Find kinds of physical activity you enjoy. Talk with your doctor about how much exercise is right for you. Spend less time in front of screens and more time walking.

source: express.co.uk