Davina McCall has revealed she is facing another health issue after being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD), an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. The 59-year-old discovered she had the condition after having high cholesterol "for quite a long time". High cholesterol can often go undetected, but it can be identified through a simple blood test.
Women's Awareness Gap
Research commissioned by PocDoc, involving 2,000 women across the UK, found that 77 per cent did not consider cardiovascular disease a major health risk, while 70 per cent were unaware that it is the world's biggest killer of women. Just 17 per cent of women aged 55 and over recognised their personal risk.
Addressing the common misconception that cardiovascular disease primarily affects men, Dr Kate Bunyan, Lead Medical Director at PocDoc, warned that this perception means thousands of women could be missing vital opportunities for early detection and prevention.
Doctor's Warning on High Cholesterol
Speaking exclusively to us, she said: "High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but it rarely causes any symptoms. You can feel perfectly healthy while cholesterol builds up in your arteries, increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke."
"That's why getting your cholesterol checked is so important. A simple blood test can help identify potential risks early, giving people an opportunity to take preventative action before more serious problems develop."
"This is particularly important for women as they get older. The fall in oestrogen around menopause can affect cholesterol levels and increase cardiovascular risk, making it an important time to pay closer attention to heart health," she added.
Advice for Early Detection
Dr Bunyan also urged people not to wait until they experience serious symptoms before taking steps to protect their heart health. "My advice would always be not to wait until something feels seriously wrong before taking your heart health seriously. If you have concerns about your cholesterol, blood pressure, family history or cardiovascular risk, speak to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional," she added.
Dr Bunyan further emphasised that identifying cardiovascular problems early can make "a significant difference". "With the right treatment and ongoing support, many people living with cardiovascular disease can continue to lead full and active lives."
Davina's Health Journey
Davina's latest health concern comes after she underwent surgery last year to have a benign brain tumour removed. The experience left her with temporary memory loss. She has also spoken about being diagnosed with breast cancer, which was fortunately detected early and removed through a lumpectomy.
Despite her recent health challenges, Davina remains determined to maintain a positive outlook on life. Speaking at a recent event hosted by Hello! Magazine, the presenter said: "I do feel like a bouncy lamb, getting more annoying as I get older. I also feel as though, by doing that, it's liberating other people."
"When I see other women behaving exactly how they want, I think, 'Oh I could do that'." She went on to say: "I can't believe how lucky I am," adding: "Life throws us challenges at this age, but life also gives you the tools to deal with it."
