Simon Cowell health: Music mogul on the condition that caused his fall – symptoms

Simon Cowell, 60, has built a reputation for separating the wheat from the chaff in the talent industry, establishing his straight-shooting judging style on ITV’s the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. The judge often appears undaunted by whatever act enters the audition room, but in his personal life, a greater threat loomed large a couple of years ago.

The TV icon was rushed to hospital after falling down the stairs because of his low blood pressure.

READ MORE

  • Natalie J Robb health: Emmerdale star’s painful fracture

Speaking to the Sun about the incident in 2017, he said: “I’d gone to get some hot milk because I felt ropey.

“On the way back upstairs, I just remember feeling dizzy. Next thing I know someone was putting a neck brace on me.

“I had a terrible headache, which must of been from me hitting the stairs.

“Sometimes we get a reminder that we’re not invincible and this was certainly mine.”

Simon explained that the doctors think he fainted due to low blood pressure – a revelation that has made Simon more cautious.

According to the NHS, low blood pressure happens when a person’s reading drops to 90/60mmHg or less, and it does not always cause symptoms, but a person may need treatment if it does.

Dizziness is a common symptom of the condition, but other symptoms may include:

  • Feeling sick
  • Blurred vision
  • Generally feeling weak
  • Confusion
  • Fainting

“If you get symptoms when you stand up or suddenly change position, you may have postural hypotension,” added the NHS.

Postural hypotension is a condition in which a person’s blood pressure drops abnormally when they stand up after sitting or lying down.

DON’T MISS
Jeff Hordley health: Emmerdale star on his chronic health battle – ‘I kept losing weight’ [INSIGHT]
Rob Mallard health: Coronation Street star on his decade-long health battle – what is it? [INSIGHT]
Tina O’Brien health: Coronation Street star on life being ‘pretty dark for a while [INSIGHT]

As the NHS explained, there are a number of self-tips to ease low blood pressure symptoms.

These include:

  • Getting up slowly from sitting to standing
  • Taking care when getting out of bed – move slowly from lying to sitting to standing
  • Raise the head of the bed by about 15cm (six inches) with bricks or heavy books
  • Eat small, frequent meals – lying down or sitting still for a while after eating may also help
  • Increase the amount of water a person drinks

The health body also advises against certain decisions, including:

  • Do not sit or stand for long periods
  • Do not bend down or change posture suddenly
  • Do not drink caffeinated drinks at night
  • Do not drink too much alcohol

What causes low blood pressure

Your blood pressure can vary depending on the time of day, and it gradually increases throughout the day, explains the NHS.

What you’re doing and how you’re feeling can also affect it, so there are many possible causes of low blood pressure, says the health site.

READ MORE

  • David Walliams health: TV judge reveals gruelling health battle

“It may be low because you’re fit and healthy, or you may have inherited it from your parents,” it said.

It can also be caused by:

  • Being pregnant
  • Some medical conditions, such as diabetes
  • Some medicines

Simon listened to the advice given to him, and took his recovery slowly following his accident.

He sat out the live show of the X-Factor, which he was supposed to attend at the time, and watched it at home with his partner Lauren Silverman, 40, and son Eric.

A source said: “The medics told Simon it would be too quick for him to return to work 48 hours after a serious medical episode.”

According to the NHS: “There are many possible causes of low blood pressure. It may be low because you’re fit and healthy, or you may have inherited it from your parents.

“Some people develop low blood pressure as they get older.”

How to check your blood pressure reading

You can check your blood pressure:

  • By asking if your pharmacist can do it
  • By asking your practice nurse or GP to do it
  • At home yourself using a home blood pressure monitor – Blood Pressure UK has information about choosing a blood pressure monitor

Source: Read Full Article