Renowned rapper and record producer Dr. Dre, also known as Andre Young, recently shared his gratitude for life after surviving three strokes during his hospitalization for a brain aneurysm in 2021.In a candid interview, he recounted the harrowing experience that led to a two-week stay in intensive care.“I appreciate being alive,” Dr. Dre stated.

The ordeal began with excruciating pain behind his right ear, which he described as the worst he had ever felt.Initially thinking he could simply rest, he credits his son's friend for insisting on taking him to the hospital, a decision that likely saved his life.But he added: “My son had a female friend that was there and was like, ‘No, we need to take you to the hospital.'”

Dr. Dre's condition was critical, with approximately 15% of people not surviving a ruptured aneurysm before reaching the hospital, according to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.‘They thought I was outta here’

“I’m hearing the doctors coming in and [saying], ‘You don’t know how lucky you are,” the Death Row Records co-founder told James Corden’s show This Life of Mine.Doctors were grim about his prognosis, allowing his family to visit and say their goodbyes, assuming he might not make it.“They called them up so they could say their last goodbyes because they thought I was outta here.”

Despite the challenges during treatment, including frequent testing and a two-week period of not eating, Dr. Dre emerged with a newfound appreciation for life.“I didn’t eat for two weeks, definitely makes you appreciate being alive, that’s for sure. “High blood pressure in black men, that’s just what it is. They call it the silent killer,” he explained.He reflected on the importance of physical health, noting the hereditary and often unpreventable nature of conditions like high blood pressure, particularly prevalent among Black men.

His experience sheds light on the disproportionate risk faced by African-Americans and Hispanics regarding brain aneurysms, emphasising the importance of awareness and preventive measures within these communities.A brain aneurysm, marked by an artery's enlargement due to vessel wall weakness, typically presents symptoms upon rupture, which can lead to life-threatening bleeding on the brain.

Dr. Dre's survival serves as a reminder of resilience and the value of health vigilance in mitigating such critical health challenges.