Empress Michiko is planning to have heart examination. (Image via Hello Magazine)

The Former Empress Went for Heart Examination

In around August 2015, former Empress, Emerita Michiko said that she would have chest pains frequently. After a period of time, she was taken to the University of Tokyo Hospital for a tomography scan.

The result of the tomography scan made the doctors diagnosed her with myocardial ischemia. The disease made not enough blood flow to some parts of the heart. Although the disease is serious, the doctor said that a surgery was no need. The doctor said that the heart disease could be caused from stress, in which he requested the Empress not to feel burdened by various things.

Since August 2015, Empress Michiko does regular medical check-up to control her disease. Almost four years after being diagnosed, Empress Michiko did a blood test this week, which showed a higher risk of heart failure. The test showed there was an increased level of a cardiac hormone called BNP that is commonly used as a mark for diagnosing heart failure.

Following the blood test, the agency officials revealed that Empress Michiko will be doing a heart examination at the Imperial Household Hospital. They also stated that they are planning to announce the results of the heart exam early next week.

Although Empress Michiko’s husband, Emperor Akihito, has abdicated on April 2019, he still has a few abdication rituals to attend. As his wife, Empress Michiko is needed to accompany him during the rituals. Regarding her schedule, the officials said that they have no plan yet to change or reduce her schedule.