“Life without my husband has no meaning”: Lee Hyori opens up about Lee Sang-soon’s illness [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Singer Lee Hyori shared how her married life changed as her husband, Lee Sang-soon, experienced health problems. Lee Sang-soon had earlier been advised by medical staff to rest because of “reduced vagal nerve function” and suspended his broadcasting activities for more than a month. The vagus nerve is a major nerve in the autonomic nervous system that regulates bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion; problems with its function can cause a range of physical symptoms.
Episode 18 of JTBC’s “Love War,” which aired on the 26th, featured a couple preparing for a bodybuilding competition. As she watched the conflict between a boyfriend focused on exercise and his girlfriend, who supported him in his daily life, Lee Hyori recalled when her husband was ill.
Lee Hyori opened up, saying, “This time, when my husband was very ill, we talked a lot. But it turned out that there was so much we didn’t know about each other—more than I expected.” She added, “I thought, ‘We’re so close, so of course we know each other, right?’ But it turned out I wished we had expressed things in words and explained them to each other.”
She also talked about her own life. She said that when she focused on goals such as yoga and broadcasting, there were times she neglected other things, and remarked, “If my husband weren’t in my life, what would yoga be worth? What would broadcasting be worth?”
Lee Hyori said, “None of it had any meaning,” adding that she had come to value the time she spent with her husband, even if it meant cutting back a little on the things she enjoys.

Earlier, Lee Sang-soon went to the medical room after experiencing health problems during a live broadcast of MBC FM4U’s “A Perfect Day with Lee Sang Soon” on August 26. He later took time off to rest, missing broadcasts.
In September, he wrote on his social media (SNS), “Following medical staff’s advice that I need rest because of a neurological symptom called reduced vagal nerve function, I have had to take a break from radio and rest.”
After continuing treatment and rest for about a month, Lee Sang-soon returned to radio on the 1st. At the time, he said, “I felt unwell for a little while, but I got better after resting.” He added, “I haven’t fully recovered, but I wanted to see everyone soon, so I told the production team I wanted to return on the first day of October.”

The vagus nerve, which Lee Sang-soon cited as the cause of his health problems, starts in the brain and runs through the neck and chest to the abdomen. Also known as the 10th cranial nerve, it helps regulate the functions of various organs, including the heart, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.
According to the Cleveland Clinic in the United States, the vagus nerve is an important part of the parasympathetic nervous system, a division of the autonomic nervous system. It helps the body maintain a stable state by slowing the heart rate and regulating the movement of the digestive organs, among other functions.
It also transmits sensory and motor information between the brain and internal organs.
If the vagus nerve is affected, symptoms can vary depending on the area involved and the cause. This may lead to problems regulating heart rate and blood pressure or affect digestive function.
However, the phrase “reduced vagal nerve function” alone cannot establish a specific disease or identify the site of an injury. Lee Sang-soon has also not disclosed specific test results, a diagnosis or the cause of his symptoms.

One of the best-known conditions related to the vagus nerve is vasovagal syncope.
According to the National Health Information Portal of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, vasovagal syncope occurs when a reflex in the autonomic nervous system causes the heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly, temporarily reducing the blood flow to the brain.
It can occur when a person stands for a long time, experiences severe pain, or undergoes extreme tension or stress. Dehydration, fatigue and hot environments are also among the triggers.
Before fainting, a person may experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweats or narrowing of their field of vision. In severe cases, they may temporarily lose consciousness.
Seoul National University Hospital’s medical information says that before vasovagal syncope occurs, a person’s skin may become pale or clammy, and they may experience nausea and severe fatigue.
However, reduced vagal nerve function and vasovagal syncope are not the same diagnosis. Vasovagal syncope occurs when autonomic reflexes, including those involving the vagus nerve, become excessive, causing blood pressure and heart rate to drop.
Therefore, Lee Sang-soon’s reported reduced vagal nerve function should not be assumed to be vasovagal syncope, nor should it be interpreted as meaning that he actually lost consciousness.

If sudden dizziness or fainting occurs, it is necessary to determine the cause.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency lists orthostatic hypotension and cardiac syncope, as well as vasovagal syncope, among the causes of fainting. Particular caution is warranted because fainting caused by heart conditions such as arrhythmia can lead to serious health problems.
To determine the cause of fainting, clinicians examine the circumstances in which symptoms occurred, the person’s posture at the time, how long they lost consciousness and any accompanying symptoms. Blood pressure measurements, an electrocardiogram and a tilt-table test may be performed as needed.
A tilt-table test involves laying a patient on an examination table and then raising it to a set angle while monitoring changes in blood pressure and heart rate. It is used to assess whether a change in posture causes blood pressure to fall or symptoms of fainting to occur.
The UK National Health Service (NHS) advises that immediate medical assessment is needed if fainting is accompanied by chest pain or an irregular heartbeat, or if a person loses consciousness while exercising or lying down.
Emergency care should also be sought if someone does not properly regain consciousness after fainting or develops problems with speech or movement.

For patients diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, identifying and avoiding situations that trigger symptoms may help as part of their day-to-day management.
The Cleveland Clinic lists dehydration, extreme fatigue, emotional stress and standing for long periods among the triggers of vasovagal syncope. It recommends identifying individual triggers if symptoms recur in these situations.
If you feel as though you are about to faint, sit or lie down immediately to prevent a fall. Under the guidance of medical professionals, maneuvers such as contracting the leg muscles may also be used.
Maintaining adequate fluid intake may also help, but patients who need to restrict fluids because of heart or kidney disease should follow their healthcare provider’s instructions.
If fainting or dizziness recurs, the cause should be investigated rather than dismissed as simple fatigue.
Seoul National University Hospital explains that vasovagal syncope usually resolves on its own, but fainting can also occur with heart disease or other serious conditions. It recommends medical assessment for fainting that occurs for the first time, recurs or is accompanied by chest pain.

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter