Penelope Cruz has discussed a recurring health scare she has encountered multiple times.
The actress disclosed that she has faced several aneurysm scares and takes diligent care of her health as a result of these experiences.
In an interview with Net-a-Porter, Cruz shared her health struggles from recent years.
An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel in the brain begins to bulge or balloon from increased pressure.
While this condition often doesn’t cause problems or symptoms, aneurysms can be highly dangerous if they rupture, as this can lead to a brain bleed, known as a hemorrhagic stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“I have had many scares like that,” Cruz mentioned. Fortunately, I’m fine, it was a false alarm.”
However, these incidents have made her more vigilant about her health, motivating her to take good care of herself.
“I worry about staying healthy, taking care of myself,” she explained to the outlet. “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I really don’t party.”
Cruz emphasized the crucial role health plays in her life, stating: “Without health, we have nothing. You talk about real equality? Why don’t we start with health?”
This isn’t the first time Cruz has spoken about her health scares; she previously discussed experiencing aneurysm symptoms while filming The Black Ball.
At the film’s Cannes premiere in May, Cruz recounted being informed of her health condition before a night shoot.
Recalling the moment as reported by Variety, she said: “We’re about to go out, I was putting on my wig, and they said, ‘Oh, apparently you have some brain aneurysm’.”
She added: “I thought I was about to die. This is something that was totally surreal in my life.”
She took the evening off and was later cleared by a doctor, who assured her it was safe to continue filming.
“I thought, ‘It’s a total miracle.’ I have to, I must have this in me,” she expressed.
According to the Mayo Clinic, brain aneurysms are a common condition, with most being too small to pose serious danger, and they often do not rupture.
They are frequently discovered during scans for other medical issues.
Nevertheless, if an aneurysm does rupture, it can quickly become life-threatening, necessitating urgent emergency care.