Thor Actor Chris Hemsworth Confesses Having A High Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease; May Quit Acting
Hollywood star popular for his role in Thor reveals having a risk of getting a genetic disease. Recently, Chris Hemsworth appeared in one of the episodes of the docuseries Limitless where he went on to take up different fitness challenges. Chris on the show had taken some genetic tests to know what all his DNA holds.
Unfortunately, the tests revealed that Chris had two copies of the APOE4 gene in his body which leads to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The National Geographic episode that was released on Disney+ Hotstar, featured Chris talking about his fears. He said “Our memories are supposed to last forever. They shape us, and make us who we are, the idea that I won’t be able to remember a lot of experience or my wife, or my kids is probably my biggest fear.”
Talking to Vanity Fair about it, Chris shared, “My concern was I just didn’t want to manipulate it and over-dramatize it and make it into some sort of hokey grab at empathy, or whatever, for entertainment. It’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation. Most of us, we like to avoid speaking about death in the hope that we’ll somehow avoid it. We all have this belief that we’ll figure it out.”
“Then to all of a sudden be told some big indicators are actually pointing to this as the route which is going to happen, the reality of it sinks in. Your own mortality. The show, which initially was an exploration of longevity and, of course, should be fun, became even more relevant and important for me, even more, poignant than I ever thought it would be,” Chris said.
He went on to add, “It was a really good catalyst to dive into everything I needed to be doing in either the prevention front or the management front or however you want to classify it. It’s not a pre-deterministic gene, but it is a strong indication. Ten years ago, I think it was more thought of as determinant.”
The doctor added that this leads to the chances of the actor having 8 out of 10 chances of getting the disease. For the facts, Chris also revealed on the show that his grandfather too has Alzheimer’s disease. “It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off. Now when I finish this tour this week, I’m going home and I’m going to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with the kids, be with my wife,” Chris expressed later.
