The life of Lucien Richard capsized in 2016 when he was hospitalized, ready to undergo an intervention for coronary bypasses, following a stroke.
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Despite long months of rehabilitation, he still has sequelae such as paralysis on the right side of his body.
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Lucien Richard
“You’re there, then you can’t talk, you can’t walk, you’re lying on the bed 24 hours a day, then you’re like ‘shit, what’s going to happen to my life? ?”, he says.
Arterial hypertension, that is to say the abnormal rise in the pressure of the blood circulating in the arteries, is the cause.
Dr. Catherine Legault, neurologist at the McGill University Health Centre, says that “you can develop cardiovascular problems without realizing it. Atherosclerosis, clogged coronaries, silent stroke problems in the brain. So there can be quite serious consequences.”
It is a difficult disease to spot, because “hypertension can be completely asymptomatic,” says Dr. Legault.
We can reduce the risks by exercising and avoiding cigarettes, alcohol and eating better, by reducing the amount of salt we eat in our diets, for example.
“I worked like crazy, then I was a little negligent regarding my health,” recalls Mr. Richard.
Lucien Richard can testify today because the Heart and Stroke organization, which exists thanks to donations, has helped him a lot. It might save lives.
According to information from Harold Gagné
