Scarface plans to take a temporary hiatus from
rap and recently canceled touring to support his latest LP, The Fix,
after being hospitalized and diagnosed with high blood pressure. "I was
194 over 127, which is near stroke," Face told AllHipHop.com. "I was
that close to cashin’ in and it aint worth my health. I’m gonna sit behind my
desk and do my job," Face said referring to his title as President of Def
Jam South.
According to the American Heart Organization,
high blood pressure, or hypertension is defined in an adult as a systolic pressure
of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
High blood pressure directly increases the risk
of heart disease and heart attacks, as well as strokes, and is particularly
prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people
and heavy drinkers.
Face said that the high blood pressure was also
affecting his kidneys. "This high blood pressure sh*t is cold blooded man,"
he said. "There aint no symptoms to it and you don’t know that you have
it. N*ggas need to be aware of this and get checked out, cause it hits us the
hardest."
Scarface is enjoying success, as The Fix
debuted at #1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart. It has been at the
top position for 3 weeks and is also in the top 10 on the Top 200 charts.
"Retiring aint in my blood," Face continued.
"I just gotta refocus some things and get my health back."