Celebrities with Heart Problems: What Can We Learn?

Heart disease is the biggest killer of women, and in Australia, we lose one woman every hour to this devastating condition. In fact, it kills more women than all cancers combined. Despite their access to wealth and top medical resources, many high-profile women still face heart disease, highlighting the fact that no one is immune to this condition, regardless of age or status. 

It is crucial that we raise awareness about the risks and take steps to prevent heart disease, particularly among women. By sharing the stories of female celebrities who have faced heart problems and the changes they have made to lead a heart-friendly lifestyle, we can help inspire others to prioritise their heart health and understand the importance of prevention.

Emma Chambers

Emma Chambers, best known for her role as Alice Tinker in the British sitcom “The Vicar of Dibley,” passed away in 2018 at the age of 53 due to a heart attack. Her sudden death shocked fans and co-stars alike. Chambers had reportedly been living with asthma and had suffered from severe allergies, but the exact cause of her heart attack remains unknown. Her death is a reminder that heart attacks can happen to anyone, regardless of age or health status, and highlights the importance of regular heart health check-ups.

Rosie O’Donnel

Rosie O’Donnell is best known as an American comedian, actress, television personality, and LGBTQ+ activist. She has had a successful career in television, hosting her own talk show, “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” from 1996 to 2002, for which she won several Emmy Awards. Rosie suffered a heart attack in 2012, aged 50 and at first, she didn’t even know it. She has spoken about her experience in her blog and told her readers that when she first started experiencing the symptoms of chest aches, clammy skin, and soreness in both arms, she blew it off as over-exertion and took an aspirin. The next day O’Donnel visited her doctor and it was there that they did an ECG (a test that records the electrical signals in your heart) and found that she had a 99 percent blockage in her artery, which is a condition known as “the widow maker”. While she ended up being okay, she had this to say in her blog: “Know the symptoms ladies. Listen to the voice inside, the one we all so easily ignore. Call emergency services and save yourself.”

Toni Braxton

Singer, Tony Braxton, found out her diagnosis after an unexpected fainting incident during one of her Broadway performances. She was rushed to the hospital and it was there that she was told of her heart condition – pericarditis. Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, a sac-like structure that surrounds the heart to hold it in place and help it work. Since this discovery, Braxton has spoken in interviews about the lifestyle and diet changes she has had to make. She shares that “[she] ..eats relatively well, but sometimes having those pizzas and burgers late at night — I had to change that.” Although she has recovered from the condition with the use of medication, she mentions her fear of how much worse this could have been if she didn’t recognise the symptoms and taken action.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus is not one to shy away from her youthful and exuberant energy so it may be shocking to know that she is also a victim of heart disease. Cyrus suffers from tachycardia, a condition that causes the heart to beat at a higher rate than normal. She has disclosed that while her type of tachycardia isn’t life-threatening, it does bother her as she shares that “there is never a time onstage when I’m not thinking about my heart.” Despite her condition, Cyrus maintains an active lifestyle and regularly performs high-energy concerts, showing that with proper management and medical care, people with heart disease can still lead fulfilling lives.

Jennie Garth 

Jennie Garth knows firsthand the devastating impact that heart disease can have on a family. Both of her parents struggled with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and her father had his first heart attack at just 37 years old. For the next three decades, Garth watched as the disease took its toll on her loved ones. So when she turned 30, she decided to be proactive and see a cardiologist. That’s when she learned that she had a leaky heart valve, a condition called mitral valve prolapse. Although not serious, the fluttering valve can cause too much or too little blood to flow in and out of the heart. Garth wants others to know that they can take control of their heart health too by seeing a cardiologist and getting non-standard tests like an echocardiogram. 

Darlene Love

Darlene Love is known for her successful music career, particularly as a backup singer for popular artists such as Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, and The Beach Boys. In 2012 right before a big performance, Love was hit with a horrible headache and stomach pains but choosing not to let her fans down, Darlene Love continued with the show. The next day, her doctor revealed the news that she had a heart attack. This was a turning point in her life as she realised how fatal and so much worse this could have been. She made changes and at 78, Love kickboxes five times a week and makes sure she eats well. She shares her story with the hopes that it helps others learn the warning signs and also emphasises the message that “even if you’re healthy and feel good, you don’t know what’s going on inside of you.”

 

It’s clear from these stories from celebrities that heart disease affects women, regardless of age, status, or lifestyle. It is crucial to prioritise heart health by making lifestyle changes, managing stress, and seeking medical attention when necessary. By learning from their experiences, we can better understand the warning signs and take proactive steps to prevent heart disease and improve our overall health.