Earlier this month, Queen guitarist Brian May revealed that he recently suffered a minor stroke, and now his wife, Anita Dobson, has shared a positive update on his recovery. May, who broke the news to fans via Instagram on September 4th, reassured them that despite the health scare, he remains optimistic about his future.
In his post, May, 76, described the stroke as a “little health hiccup,” and clarified it was a minor stroke. However, it still had a significant impact on his body, causing him to question whether he’d ever play the guitar again. “All of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn’t have any control over this arm, so it was a little scary,” May explained. Fortunately, with swift medical intervention, including care from Frimley Hospital, May is on the road to recovery.
The guitarist has been advised to follow strict medical orders to rest, avoid raising his heart rate, and refrain from working for the foreseeable future. “I’m grounded,” he said, adding that he’s in good spirits and doing well despite the temporary restrictions.
Dobson recently spoke at the This Is Icon awards in London, offering fans further hope. “He’s doing great – he’s on the road, he’s doing really, really well,” she said, adding that she’s “completely confident” in May’s ability to make a full recovery. Although a precise timeline for his return to full health hasn’t been shared, her optimism suggests that May could be back on stage in the future.
Currently, May has no upcoming tour dates scheduled with Queen and Adam Lambert, with his sole focus on recovering from the stroke. Still, neither May nor his wife has ruled out the possibility of him performing again.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Minor Stroke?
A minor stroke, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. According to the NHS, symptoms of a TIA can resolve within minutes or hours, but immediate treatment is necessary to prevent a more severe stroke in the future. One of the key symptoms, which May experienced, is the loss of control over an arm. The NHS explains that a person might not be able to lift both arms due to weakness or numbness, and this was one of the warning signs for May.
Recovery from a minor stroke varies depending on the severity. The Stroke Association notes that every stroke and recovery process is unique. Some individuals may return to their normal activities within weeks, while others could take months or even years. However, in the case of a minor stroke, the recovery period tends to be shorter.
For now, Brian May continues to rest and recover, with the support of his family and fans worldwide. His dedication to following doctors’ orders and his positive mindset are both hopeful indicators for a full recovery.
