Sadik Hadzovic Shares Details of Near-Death Hospitalization
In a YouTube video posted to his account on January 7, Sadik Hadzovic shares that he was recently hospitalized and almost died.
Hadzovic is a towering figure in the world of bodybuilding, with multiple pro wins in the physique category, including at the 2015 Arnold Classic.
Though he set out to qualify for the 2024 Mr. Olympia, he fell short and has been sharing his training for his Classic Physique division return. Hadzovic consistently shares weekly YouTube videos, so subscribers were left scratching their heads when he was late to post.
Immediately, he addresses the elephant in the room, stating that he started having trouble breathing about two weeks prior.
Initially, he didn't think much of it and likened it to walking pneumonia. But, after trying to sleep it off and push through his normal routines, he faced fatigue and chest pains—prompting him to the hospital.
Hadzovik had his blood pressure taken and the number read well into hypertension levels.
"Listen, this ain't nerves, you're 180 over 97. Even if this was nerves, this would come down a little bit, but you're still in hypertension levels and the fact that you're complaining about your lungs—I'm just worried you may have a blood clot in your lungs," Hadzovik says, recounting what the doctor told him at the hospital.
After several medical tests, including EKGs, a CT scan, bloodwork, and more—nothing came back that would raise any eyebrows.
The verdict of Hadzovik's breathing issues? Stress.
Upon reflecting, Hadzovik recognized how stressed he's felt lately. Between the holidays, training, and several business ventures, things took a toll.
"Making sure everyone around me is happy, protected, and doing good—as a dad and as a man, you kind of put yourself in the backseat. And you can keep on doing that and you'll be fine, but eventually it's kind of up to you," he says.
Along with paying attention to stress levels, Hadzovik now takes an 80 milligram tablet of Valsartan daily to keep his blood pressure down.
He also addresses his steroid usage and how that may have contributed to his hospitalization, stating he's only taking "one cc of test per week and half a cc of Masteron per week."
"Manage your stress. Even machines need breaks," he says.
