Jennie Garth Reveals She Has A Heart Condition
Jennie Garth, who lost her father to heart disease last year, has revealed she has a heart condition herself.
“I have a leaky valve,” she explained. “And it’s a common thing. A lot of people have it, They don’t know they have it… [it] leaks blood.”
“It’s your connection to your heart… your artery, the main artery that goes to your heart,” she said. “It sort of flutters open and shut sort of a thing, so you… it’s weird because sometimes when I’m resting I can feel a little weird fluttering.”
“Down the road it’s something that could get more complicated or it could not,” she explained. “People have had valve replacements and that kind of thing… but I’m prepared, that’s the key.”
That’s got to be a little scary! I couldn’t imagine wondering each day if something might go wrong with my heart.
Source, Photo Source: Apega/WENN
4 babblicious comments:
I have the same condition. It is called a “Prolapsed Mitral Valve.” A common symptom is a heart murmur. It’s not quite as scary as it sounds, but you do have to be aware that you have it. There are certain precautions, such as the need to take a high dose of antibiotics if you are to have ANY type of surgery, childbirth and even routine dental cleaning. If you develop an infection of any kind, you need antibiotics, because if left untreated, it can attack the weakest part of your body and with this condition, that is your heart. The thought of any type of heart surgery is scary, but I am told that valve replacement is pretty routine, anymore. I know I was absolutely terrified when I was given the diagnosis. The Doctor that I had at the time, left the diagnosis on my answering machine with zero explanation. I was in a full panic attack when my boyfriend found me. He called a nurse he knew to ask what it was. Needless to say, I have a new doctor and will never see that doctor ever again.
I can’t believe that doctor just left a message on your machine! That is very unprofessional and no one deserves to be treated like that. Thanks for giving us the term used for Jenni’s condition, I didn’t realize how many people actually have the same condition as her.
I also have a heart condition that’s not as common as the above mitral valve prolapse. I have Pulmonary Stenosis, which is a narrowing of your pulmonary valve and artery, which supplies blood to your lungs for oxygenation.
I WILL need open heart surgery again to fix this; I had my first operations when I was eight, and I’ll need it again. I’m 24 now, and the docs don’t know when they’ll have to operate yet. I’ll need a new valve put in.
When Jenni says she gets “flutters” they are heart palpitations, which can be pretty innocent or very serious. I get them all the time, and they always scare the crap out of me because it’s like..your heart is beating, then it stops, then you get the feeling of a butterfly in your chest, then your heart starts beating normally again…it can do it at anytime and usually only a couple seconds…but it’s still scary.
It’s always scary because I’m at an increased risk for everything. Piercings, tattoos, going to the dentist…anything that could introudce bacteria into my bloodstream means I have to take antibiotics.
Anyone who has a heart condition knows it’s a scary thing to deal with. But if you’re smart, make sure you keep yourself healthy,and don’t abuse your body, you can live the rest of your life without any complications.
I just wish more women were aware that we die from heart complications more than men do. They’d take a more proactive role in their health if they did.
Hi Jennie,
You are my favorite actress. I watched (and still watch you) on Beverly Hills 90210 and also on What i like about you
I must say, you are handleing this situation very well and responsibly.
Much love out to you and your family.
P.S. Love you on the Broadway websshow thingy.