With numerous professional victories in the physique division, including in the 2015 Arnold Classic, Hadzovic is a titan in the bodybuilding community.
He has been regularly posting his training for his return to the Classic Physique division after failing to meet his goal of qualifying for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. However, a few days ago, there was a delay in his regular posting, which left his followers perplexed.
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When he finally posted a Youtube video, Sadik said that he recently went through a serious health scare and opened up about it.
“About two weeks ago, Wednesday night, I was having a hard time breathing and I don’t think much of it, kinda feels like walking pneumonia kinda thing. You know when you can’t fully open your lungs? So, like any masculine, stupid guy would do, I just sleep it off.”
He compared it to walking pneumonia at first and didn’t give it much thought. However, he had exhaustion and chest pains after attempting to sleep it off and carry on with his regular activities, which led him to the hospital.
“Then Thursday comes and I’m dealing with the same issue, I can’t breathe like all day I can’t breathe and I’m like what the hell? he wondered. “Then, finally, Friday morning I’m driving to the gym and not only can I not breathe, I could barely drive.”
“I went to the gym anyways despite not being able to breathe, warming up in the sauna and I just texted my wife and I was like, got a lot pain right here [in the middle of his chest].”
I go to urgent care after I finished my workout, of course, and the guy hooks me up to the blood pressure and he’s like ‘Woah, dude, what the hell?’ I was like listen I was just nervous,” he said.
He was told by medical specialists that his blood pressure was excessive, measuring 180/97.
“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 said, recounting what the doctor told him at the hospital.
They conducted a number of tests, but he was still unsure of the root of the issues. Medical personnel wanted to rule out a potential blood clot using CT scans and EKGs.
Fortunately, Hadzovic’s test results were all normal, and the nurses attributed his symptoms to stress or even a potential panic attack.
Hadzovic briefly discussed the possible influence of ster*ids on his symptoms in light of the situation, stating that he had been taking a very low dosage ever since his breathing problems started.
Many have questioned whether Hadzovic’s use of performance-enhancing chemicals has affected his health because he previously talked about the “dark side” of the practice. Medical experts think that stress or anxiety may have been the root of his health problems, but they are not entirely sure.