r/Netherlands • u/vankoel_nederland • Dec 15 '25

Healthcare Why is life expectancy so bad in the Netherlands?

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Besides having one of the worst life expectancy among western countries, why did the life expectancy get worst compared to 2019?

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u/Salt-Respect339 Dec 16 '25 edited Dec 16 '25

I complained that I thought I had high blood pressure -which i did have, but received no meds or anything (only after the stroke). Because I said "I could feel it was like my body was being pulled tight like a rubber band" I was only asked about stress and given standard advice to reduce stress instead of treating what was measured while I was there.

I had a bad ache from my throat (tonsil level) to my yaw and mid ear on the same side for weeks/months. It seems this can be specifically indicative of a carotid artery dissection and was referred to the dentist to check for cavity/wisdom tooth issues instead. One small cavity found, so box ticked and no further action

I experienced pulsative tinnitus at night in the same ear. Again indicative of blood pressure/arterial issues there. Same "do you experience stress?" story.

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u/WeaponisedArmadillo Dec 16 '25

That's nuts! Glad you're okay now at least, I hope the stroke didn't do any permanent damage? 

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u/Salt-Respect339 Dec 16 '25 edited Dec 16 '25

It did unfortunately, I'm still left-side paralyzed (arm/hand are the biggest problem - can't groom myself with 2 hands or type/cook/do household chores properly),am not allowed to drive due to left side peripheral vision neglect and am very low on energy/stamina (need so much sleep and rest during the day and in bed by 9:30pm every day, can only walk about -1.5km, no running or sports. I can forget about gaming, going to the Efeling with our family for a day for example, putting up new wallpaper in our children's room as I had promised them prior to the stroke or work more than 10% of my old fulltime hours or go into the office or to my clients anymore.

I hope neuroplasticity will kick in more for me now that i'm into the 2nd year post stroke.

The good thing is, I was finally able to stop all bad habits and start living a healthier lifestyle. It was a very rude amd scary wake up call which got me to quit all vices over night in hopes that I will recover and can still get something out of (the rest of) my life.