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Death of Duchess of Cornwall’s brother “accidental” (25 April 2014)

Date: 25/04/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Death of Duchess of Cornwall’s brother “accidental”

The brother of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwell was taking a “cocktail” of drugs to lower his blood pressure at the time he was killed after hitting his head, the Daily Mail reports.

Philanthropist and conservationist Mark Shand, 62, died on Wednesday (23/04/14) at Bellvue Hospital in New York, after suffering a brain injury as a result of blunt trauma to the head. Mr Shand apparently fell through the revolving door of the Gramercy Park Hotel's Rose Bar in the early hours of the morning, and died as a result of a fractured skull and a blood clot on the brain. Some witnesses say that as he fell through the door, he hit his head on a tree on the pavement.

It has been reported that his prescription for the blood pressure lowering drugs Simvastatin and Ramipril had been increased in recent months.

The possible side effects of drugs which lower blood pressure are dizziness and fainting, giving rise to a higher risk of falling in some cases.

In some patients, blood pressure lowering drugs – including alpha-blockers and beta-blockers – can also cause confusion or memory impairment, as well as feelings of fatigue.

Alpha-blockers such as doxasosin control the release of chemicals from the adrenal glands, which can cause a sudden and dangerous spike in blood pressure. Alpha-blockers initially have to be taken with copious amounts of water to limit their side effects, as they can cause a sudden and potentially serious decrease in blood pressure.

Beta-blockers help regulate the heartbeat and can be used to treat anxiety as well as high blood pressure.

Blood pressure lowering drugs and cholesterol lowering drugs are often prescribed as a preventive measure in patients over the age of 50, however – especially those with a family history of heart conditions or stroke.

Cholesterol lowering drugs – statins – have been widely prescribed to the over-50s since New Labour acted on the advice of Professor Sir Rory Collins. Recent concerns over the possible side effects of statins led Prof Collins to claim that the scaremongering over statins was comparable to the backlash over the MMR vaccine and could cost lives if patients stopped taking statins.

Simvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug usually used in combination with improved diet and exercise, to lower and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The side effects can include muscle pain, cramps and weakness.

Ramipril is an ACE-inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) drug used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure – and can also improve the chances of surviving a heart attack. The drug helps prevent arteries from becoming clogged with fatty deposits and impeding blood flow, which can elevate the risk of stroke or heart attack.

A low-fat diet and moderate alcohol intake are usually recommended to patients taking drugs to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, some patients may experience disturbed sleep patterns when taking blood pressure lowering medications.

New York’s Chief Medical Examiner has recorded Mr Shand’s death as an accident.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise on making a no win no fee claim for injuries resulting from Slips and Trips or Accidents in Public Places – as well as medical negligence claims, such as prescribing errors, wrong treatment or brain injury.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee personal injury compensation claims contact Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

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