Actress Jean Smart Encourages Others To Focus On Heart Health
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actress Jean Smart recently encouraged people to focus on heart health after undergoing heart surgery.
The Movieguide® Awards presenter posted on Instagram that she has undergone a “successful heart procedure” and wanted to spread the message of heart health this month, which is American Heart Month.
“February is American Heart Month — a time when the nation spotlights heart health, so it feels important to share with all of you that I’m recovering from a recent, successful heart procedure,” she wrote. “I am fortunate to have excellent professional care and support from family and friends while I continue to recuperate.”
Smart then encouraged others to “listen to your body and talk to your doctor,” adding, “I’m very glad I did.”
Smart is currently starring on HBO’s HACKS and the network released a statement about her recent procedure: “We are so happy that our beloved Jean Smart’s heart procedure was successful and she’s on the mend. HBO Max and UTV send their well wishes.”
In addition to her own heart procedure, Smart lost her husband of over 30 years, Richard Gilliland, to a heart-related condition in 2021.
It’s unknown what Smart’s heart condition was, but the actress has previously spoken about her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and how it led to her acting career.
“My mother insisted that I stay in Seattle for college. I had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was thirteen, and she still hadn’t gotten over that by the time I was getting ready to graduate high school. She was afraid, I think, for me to go out of state to school,” Smart shared.
She ended up attending the University of Washington, which had a “phenomenal theater program.”
“So I have my mother and my diabetes to thank,” Smart concluded.
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