Heart disease affects millions of people, regardless of age, profession, or fame. From heart attacks later in life to congenital heart defects, heart disease doesn't discriminate. The stories of celebrities who’ve battled cardiovascular conditions serve as powerful reminders that heart health matters at every stage of life.

These celebrities have not only survived life-threatening health scares but have also become advocates for heart health awareness. Their stories offer hope and inspiration to others living with heart disease. With the right care, lifestyle changes, and medical interventions, it’s possible to live a long, fulfilling life with heart disease.

1. Miley Cyrus: Tachycardia

Miley Cyrus is a singer and actor who first became well-known for her role as Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel. Over the years, she’s released many hit songs like “Wrecking Ball” and “Party in the U.S.A.” Despite her success, Cyrus has had health struggles, including a heart condition she’s openly discussed with her fans.

In her 2009 memoir “Miles to Go,” Cyrus shared that she has tachycardia. This condition makes her heart beat faster than normal. “The type of tachycardia I have isn’t dangerous. It won’t hurt me, but it does bother me,” she wrote. Cyrus said her heart rate goes up a lot, even with simple activities like climbing stairs. “There is never a time onstage when I’m not thinking about my heart,” she added.

Despite her condition, Cyrus lives an active and healthy life. She eats a nutritious diet and exercises regularly. Cyrus’ journey highlights the importance of addressing heart health and making lifestyle changes to manage health conditions effectively.

2. Shaun White: Born With a Heart Defect

Shaun White is one of the more decorated Olympic snowboarders. He’s known for his amazing skills and his multiple gold medals in several Winter Olympics. Fans love his daring tricks and high-flying performances. However, before his success, White faced a big health challenge at birth.

White was born with a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of Fallot. This condition has four heart defects that affect normal blood flow. It can make it hard for the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body. As an infant, White had multiple surgeries to fix the defect, which involved a difficult recovery.

In an interview at the 2022 Children’s Heartlink Global Gathering, White shared about his congenital heart disease. “It was a big part of my life when I was a lot younger,” he said. “I was told I couldn’t do certain things, but honestly, my parents let me find my own boundaries, and of course, I just wanted to fly. I wanted to be in the air.”

Even though White’s heart defect was treated early, he always kept it in mind throughout his career. His condition makes him very aware of the importance of staying healthy, both physically and mentally. Over the years, White has worked closely with doctors to monitor his heart and make sure he stays in top shape for competition.

To manage his symptoms and stay healthy, White follows a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and ongoing medical checkups. He also emphasizes the importance of mental well-being and being careful about his heart health.

White encourages everyone to regularly check on their health, especially if they have a history of heart issues.

3. Star Jones: Heart Disease After Weight Loss Surgery

Star Jones is a well-known TV personality, lawyer, and former co-host of “The View.” She became famous for her outspoken opinions and charismatic presence on the show. Outside of her career, Jones has been open about her personal health journey, especially her struggles with heart disease.

In 2003, Jones had gastric bypass surgery to help her lose weight. After the surgery, she committed to a diet and exercise program and she lost a lot of weight. Still, she noticed she felt fatigued and sluggish. That’s when she was diagnosed with heart disease. In 2010, she had heart problems that required open-heart surgery to fix her aortic valve.

Reflecting on her recovery in an interview with the American Heart Association, Jones said, “Surgery saved my life, but cardiac rehabilitation gave me my life back.”

After both surgeries, Jones made big changes to her lifestyle. She adopted a heart-healthy diet. Jones also committed to regular exercise and worked closely with her doctors.

To manage her symptoms, Jones takes prescribed medications to control her blood pressure and cholesterol. She also has regular checkups and goes through cardiac rehabilitation to monitor her heart health and stay on track.

As an advocate for heart disease awareness, Jones uses her platform to speak out about the risks of obesity and high blood pressure, both of which are associated with heart disease. She emphasizes the importance of regular checkups, especially for those at higher risk of heart problems.

4. Jennie Garth: Leaky Heart Valve

Jennie Garth is a beloved actor best known for her role as Kelly Taylor on the TV show “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Over the years, she has become a pop culture icon. However, behind the scenes, Garth has faced her own health challenges.

Growing up, Garth knew her family had a history of heart issues. Both of her parents had high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Her father was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis and had his first heart attack when he was 37. This family history made Garth proactive about her health.

When she turned 30, Garth visited a cardiologist and discovered she had a mitral valve prolapse (leaky heart valve). This condition, which can range from benign to severe, involves a valve that doesn't close all the way and causes a fluttering sensation. Since then, Garth has been careful to monitor her heart health, getting regular checkups and tests.

In 2009, Garth revealed more about her condition in an interview with the American Heart Association. “It’s weird because sometimes when I’m resting, I can feel a little weird fluttering,” she said.

Garth highlighted the importance of being brave when it comes to healthcare. She shared that knowing your family history can play a key role in taking better care of yourself.

Despite her condition, Garth has continued to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. She is vigilant about her heart health and regular checkups. Garth also takes a statin to control her cholesterol levels, even though they aren’t extremely high.

5. Rosie O’Donnell: Heart Attack

Rosie O’Donnell, the well-known comedian, actor, and talk show host, is known for her quick wit and warm personality. However, in 2012, O’Donnell faced a serious health scare that changed how she thought about heart health.

At the age of 50, O’Donnell started to feel unwell. She thought her symptoms were from muscle strain caused by lifting a heavy weight earlier in the day. O’Donnell felt aches in her arms and chest, but she continued with her daily routine. It wasn’t until her son said she looked like a ghost that O’Donnell realized something was wrong.

“My body hurt, I had an ache in my chest, both my arms were sore, everything felt bruised, muscular — I thought,” O’Donnell recalled.

O’Donnell took aspirin and went to bed, but her condition didn’t improve. The next day, her family urged her to see a doctor. When she finally went to the doctor, tests showed that her left anterior descending artery was 99 percent blocked. She was rushed to the emergency room and had emergency surgery. Her experience highlights the importance of calling emergency services immediately rather than self-medicating in these situations.

Since then, O’Donnell has become an advocate for raising awareness about heart disease in women. In an interview with People, she emphasized that the symptoms of a heart attack in women can be different from those in men and urges women to pay attention to their heart health. She reminds us that even those without major heart problems can benefit from preventive care.

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