What is a brain bleed? The medical emergency that sent Jamie Foxx into a stroke
Actor and Grammy winner Jamie Foxx recently opened up about a medical emergency that nearly took his life. In his Netflix comedy special, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was,” Foxx revealed that he suffered a brain bleed in April 2023 that put him into a coma for several weeks. Foxx shared, “I was fighting for my life. April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for an aspirin … before I could get the aspirin … I went out. I don’t remember 20 days.”
Foxx underwent surgery to address the brain bleed that had led to a stroke. His doctor at Piedmont Hospital reportedly said, “If I don’t go in his head right now, we’re going to lose him.” Foxx continued, “On May 4, I woke up. When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk.” With the support of his family and faith, Foxx slowly recovered in what he described as a miracle.
Three months after the harrowing experience, Foxx spoke out about the ordeal in a video posted on Instagram, revealing that he had gone through hell and back. Dr. Paul Saphier, a neurosurgeon and founder of Coaxial Neurosurgical Specialists in New Jersey, explained the dangers of brain bleeds, also known as hemorrhagic strokes, which account for 10% to 15% of all strokes and affect approximately 70,000 to 80,000 patients in the U.S. each year.
A brain bleed occurs when blood pools between the brain and skull, preventing oxygen from reaching the brain. Symptoms include a sudden, severe headache, nausea, confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, sleepiness, and lack of energy. Brain bleeds can be caused by head trauma, blood clots, weak blood vessels, brain tumors, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, and age.
Dr. Saphier emphasized the importance of heart-healthy living to reduce the risk of brain bleeds, as heart health and brain health are closely linked. Lifestyle activities that promote heart health, such as managing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly, can also benefit the brain and its blood vessels.
It is crucial to seek prompt treatment for a brain bleed to prevent permanent damage, including memory loss, difficulty swallowing and speaking, coordination challenges, numbness or weakness in body parts, vision loss, and emotional changes. Foxx’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing health and well-being. By following a heart-healthy lifestyle and seeking medical attention when needed, individuals can reduce their risk of experiencing a life-threatening brain bleed.
