Ozzy Osbourne had heart rate monitored '15 times a day' just weeks before death
Ozzy Osbourne 's heart was being closely monitored just weeks before his death, being checked "15 times a day" ahead of his final performance. Although his cause of death hasn't officially been confirmed, there was mounting concerns about his health.
The Black Sabbath frontman, who was 76 when he died, had a known cardiac condition in the months leading up to his tragic death. He also was battling with Parkinson's disease.
The rock legend had been working out to get in shape for his Back To The Beginning concert. To ensure his safety, he wore a device to regularly monitor his heart rate and avoid overdoing it, according to reports in the Mirror.
During an appearance on his Sirius XM show back in May, Ozzy revealed: "F***ing hell. I am constantly in training seven days a week. I have got this guy who's virtually living with me and I am in bed by seven."
He continued: "I used to have to take a handful of f***ing sleeping pills. Now I don't take anything. I am having my blood pressure taken 15 times a day. I've got this f***ing device on my finger. It's a monitor to say how my heart rate is."
During the same interview, Ozzy humorously speculated about his afterlife, saying: "I'm just taking it one day at a time. Ask him upstairs. In my case, the one below."
Ozzy also expressed gratitude towards adoring wife Sharon, as he praised her as "brilliant" for coming up with the farewell concept for his recent show, which became his last major hurrah.
"She worked her a** to get this moving," he said of the Villa Park event. In the same month, speaking to the Guardian, Ozzy also discussed his health following numerous illnesses and accidents over the years, as well as suffering from Parkinson's.
"How many surgeries have I had?" he queried. "I've got more f***ing metal in me than a scrap merchants."
Regarding his training, he added: "I do weights, bike riding, I've got a guy living at my house who's working with me. It's tough – I've been laid up for such a long time. I've been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It's like starting all over again.
"I've got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going. I have problems walking. I also get blood pressure issues, from blood clots on my legs. I'm used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I don't think I'll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down, but the point is I'll be there, and I'll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up."
Ozzy tragically passed away less than three weeks after taking to the stage for the Back To The Beginning concert, which he confirmed was his final performance. "It's time for me to spend some time with my grandkids," he told the Guardian.
"I don't want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family."
In a 2002 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Ozzy reflected on his life and legacy. "I've done a lot for a simple working-class guy. I made a lot of people smile," he said.
He pondered on how he would be remembered if he were to pass away, saying, "I guarantee that if I was to die tonight, tomorrow it would be, 'Ozzy Osbourne, the man who bit the head off a bat, died in his hotel room.... But l've got no complaints. At least I'll be remembered."
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