Four days after she served as a guest speaker at the Philippine Trade Tourism Conference in Doha, Qatar, singer-actress Isabel Granada collapsed and fell into a coma.
A few days later, Isabel's ex-husband Jericho Aguas posted an update on her condition: "Isabel's heart beat went down from 156 to 98," he wrote on Facebook, saying how the arrival of Isabel's grandmother and son seems to have a good effect on her condition. "That's a good sign. The normal heart beat daw is 60 to 100. God performs Miracles. Continue praying. Malapit na hong magkamalay si Isabel."
It was one of her closest friends, former actress Bianca Lapus who first broke the sad news in her own Facebook post, where she also asked for prayers for her dear friend.
"Isa is in critical condition. Massive internal bleeding in the head. Aneurysm," she writes. "She suddenly collapsed."
She later updated the post, writing that she was now comatose at the HGH (Hamad General Hospital) in Qatar.
Her initial status was post-cardiac arrest.
"But according to the nurse I chatted with in Qatar, it's confirmed she has internal bleeding and aneurysm. She will undergo a major operation anytime now. But according to the respiratory therapist she had 6 times cardiac arrest. Please let’s pray for Isa."
Bianca, like many of Isabel's fans and supporters, are still waiting for updates on her condition from Isabel's family.
Isabel has one son, 14-year-old Hubert, with former husband. She married Arnel Crowley in 2015.
Recalling the day Isabel fell into a coma, her husband Arnel told ABS-CBN news that she was "Sabi lang niya, 'Ay nahihilo ako,' and then she collapsed," he said, adding that his wife was fit and healthy, so it really came as a shock. "Beforehand, there were no signs of anything talaga. She was laughing and she was joking with me."
As of this writing, Isabel's mom and son have flown to Doha, Qatar to be by her side. Together with Arnel, they went straight to the hospital ICU to visit Isabel who, it has been found had a "brain hemorrhage which indicates aneurysm and in turn affected her heart."
The family has requested for privacy, declining further media interviews, during this difficult time.
Isabel with husband Arnel (source: Isabel Granada instagram account)An aneurysm is a ballooning or swelling of blood vessels---specifically, the arteries. Though normally sturdy enough to withstand blood pressure, an aneurysm can happens when the walls of arteries are progressively weakened.
The causes of aneurysm are often unknown, but it has been linked to familial history as well as other risk factors: high blood pressure, trauma, abnormal blood flow, high cholesterol, and history of smoking.
Cerebral aneurysm in particular often has no symptoms. It happens before the age of 65 more commonly in those who have a family history of the condition.
Its symptoms, which resemble that of a stroke, often appear suddenly.
- headache
- numbness
- weakness of one side of the face
- dilated pupils
- sudden change in vision
Though it can be fatal, it is treatable with the immediate medical intervention.
Our thoughts go out to the Granada family in this difficult time.
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