Chris Hemsworth Reveals Why He Was Angry After Sharing His Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Chris Hemsworth is wielding the power of the truth.
Especially when it comes to expressing his frustration over the reaction to him revealing his higher risk for Alzheimer's Disease. And two years after first opening up about his genetic predisposition, the Thor: Love and Thunder star reflected on publicly disclosing the news and set the record straight on his health status.
"It really kind of pissed me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this," Chris told Vanity Fair in an interview published April 30. "No matter how much I said 'This is not a death sentence,' the story became that I have dementia and I'm reconsidering life and retiring and so on."
The 40-year-old made it clear that he was not, in fact, diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Rather, he'd learned he was at risk while filming his National Geographic docuseries Limitless. And it soon inspired his entire family to also get genetic testing done.
But more than testing, Alzheimer's is a disease his family has experienced firsthand, with his grandfather dying last year after a long battle. Chris also shared his dad Craig Hemsworth is showing early signs of the illness.
"I know my dad is going through a transition of acceptance around 'I'm not this big, strong man with all the answers who everybody looks to for guidance now,'" the Snow White and the Huntsman actor reflected. "He's much more the observer now, rather than leading the pack."
He added, "It's a reminder to me because those are exactly the qualities I need: stillness, observation, absorption, a respect for the present moment."
Since learning about his predisposition, Chris—who shares 11-year-old daughter India and 9-year-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha with wife Elsa Pataky—has implemented a variety of lifestyle changes to benefit his overall health and, particularly, his brain.
"I'm incorporating more solitude into my life," he told Men's Health in October. "I've always been pretty consistent with my exercise commitments, but lately I've really felt the importance of taking time for yourself without any outside voice or stimulation and making time for stillness."
"I do a lot of meditation and breath work mostly during sauna and ice bath routines," he continued. "For me, my favorite mindfulness work comes from the immersion in physical actives that allow me to be fully present and force me out of me head and into my body."
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