Brendan Courtney has revealed how he’s changed his lifestyle, as he fears suffering the same fate as his father.
The TV star’s father Frank has been left paralysed on the left side of his body after suffering two strokes, and is now receiving palliative care in a hospice.
After revealing that he had a blood clot five years ago and a diagnosis of high blood pressure, Brendan decided to make a serious change.
“I’m trying to manage my blood pressure through diet rather than drugs,” he told the Irish Mirror.
Making a change: Brendan is taking action to avoid future complications with his health | BRIAN MCEVOY
“There’s a diet you can go on which can restrict your arteries and veins from getting blood clots. I had a blot clot about five years ago, my dad’s had two strokes so it’s in me.
“If my dad had been told at my age he had high blood pressure he’d probably be fine now,” he explained.
Brendan received huge praise after his RTÉ documentary We Need To Talk About Dad aired, and he’s now in talks for more hard-hitting documentary style shows.
The documentary followed Brendan’s family as they rallied around his father Frank, and tried to make plans for his future.
However, when Brendan discovered through the Fair Deal scheme that funding does not extend to care in the home, they found that their options were limited.
Now, the fashion designer is campaigning to make a change, so that Frank and others like him can receive the right care at home.
“There are more of these documentaries in the pipeline. They’ll be personal and wider reaching.
“My dad is comfortable now, receiving palliative care in the hospice in Harold’s Cross.
“Every Thursday I’m in the Dail to get the statutory right for home care for older people, it’s ongoing,” he added.
Meanwhile, Brendan will appear on TV3’s The Restaurant tonight alongside his designer partner Sonya Lennon.
