5 Celebrities Who Have Survived Heart Attacks
Published on September 15, 2014. Updated April 3, 2017Heart attacks are not uncommon. Most people know at least one person in their family or among their friends who has suffered one. Hollywood is no different. There are many celebrities who have suffered heart attacks and, as we’ve seen, many of them have not survived. We were really interested to see how many celebrities have survived heart attacks and whether or not they have changed their lives as a result. A few of the celebrities on our list are pretty private, so we’re lucky to have even heard about it; however, there are others who were more than happy to talk about their experiences.
5. Kelsey Grammer
In 2008, Kelsey Grammer was hospitalized after he experienced symptoms of a heart attack while paddle-boarding in Hawaii. While his rep told everyone that the attack was mild, the television actor later said that it was much more severe and that he had almost died because his heart had stopped. “They had to blast me twice and get me started all over again,” Grammer told “Entertainment Tonight.” “I did think: ‘Oh gosh, I have got to hang on. I’ve got too much junk I’ve got to take care of. I’ve got to take care of the family.’”
Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com4. Rosie O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell suffered a heart attack in 2012. At the time, she wasn’t aware of what was happening. She only had pain in her biceps, so she didn’t end up calling 911 and instead took some aspirin. The next day, she saw a cardiologist and learned that one of her arteries was 99 percent blocked, so a stent was put in. According to O’Donnell, the reason she had a heart attack was because she wasn’t taking care of herself. Since the heart attack, she had a Vertical Gastric Sleeve, a procedure that removes part of the stomach, and she’s lost 40 pounds as a result. Overall, she is in much better health.
s_bukley / Shutterstock.com3. Larry King
Larry King has had several heart attacks. In 1987, he suffered a major one that required him to have quintuple-bypass surgery to prevent him from having another heart attack. After his surgery, the television host quit smoking and altered his diet. King has since established the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, a non-profit organization that has partnered with cardiac centers around the country to provide patients without health insurance with cardiac devices and procedures free of charge.
Featureflash / Shutterstock.com2. David Bowie
In 2004, David Bowie collapsed backstage while performing in Germany. According to him, he thought he had a pinched nerve in his shoulder. After being rushed to the hospital, he was informed that he was having a heart attack and was forced to undergo emergency heart surgery to treat an acutely blocked artery. Since his heart attack, Bowie has been living a very reclusive lifestyle. He is rarely seen out in public and has not done any touring since 2006.
Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com1. Toni Braxton
In 2008, when she was performing at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Toni Braxton began experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. According to her, she felt heart palpitations and an incredible pressure on her chest. She was rushed to the emergency room where she was told that she was having a heart attack. After numerous tests, she was informed that she had lupus and that it was attacking her heart. Braxton is currently treating the Lupus with he drug Kenalog.
Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com