No Symptoms in Daily Life, Condition Detected During Checkup
The former Emperor of Japan has been hospitalized to undergo a detailed examination for a heart abnormality.
On May 6, the Imperial Household Agency announced that former Emperor Akihito (92) showed signs of myocardial ischemia during a routine checkup conducted in mid-April. After follow-up tests, the possibility of myocardial ischemia was deemed high, leading to the decision for his hospitalization.
Myocardial ischemia is a condition in which the heart muscle does not receive an adequate blood supply. This can result in reduced or blocked blood flow, potentially causing damage to heart tissue and leading to conditions such as myocardial infarction or heart failure. If mild, there may be no symptoms, but in severe cases, discomfort in the chest may occur during physical activity, and in acute cases, severe chest pain can be felt even at rest. The Imperial Household Agency explained that the former Emperor did not experience any subjective symptoms and that there had been no significant changes in his daily life.
According to local media such as the Mainichi Shimbun, the former Emperor calmly listened to explanations about the need for hospitalization at his residence, the Sento Gosho in Tokyo, and responded composedly to changes in his schedule.
Former Emperor Akihito, the father of Emperor Naruhito, also experienced symptoms of reduced blood flow to the heart in 2012 and underwent surgery at the University of Tokyo Hospital. After his abdication, in 2022, he was diagnosed with right-sided heart failure and has since been receiving treatment including medication and restrictions on fluid intake.
Meanwhile, former Emperor Akihito is setting a new record for longevity among all Japanese emperors. Due to his advanced age and health reasons, he abdicated the throne to his eldest son, then Crown Prince Naruhito, in April 2019, becoming the first emperor in 202 years to abdicate while still alive since 1817.
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