Davina McCall has revealed she was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, weeks after getting the all-clear following breast cancer surgery and a brain tumour operation. The 59-year-old disclosed the diagnosis last week, describing it as an umbrella term for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels.
The former Big Brother host underwent surgery last year to remove a benign brain tumour and later had treatment for breast cancer. Despite these health battles, she has remained forward-looking, welcoming the possibilities that accompany growing older.
Speaking at Hello! Magazine's Power List Party
Speaking at Hello! Magazine's Power List party, which honoured women living fulfilled and contented lives in their second act, the presenter said: "I once heard ageing called the second spring and I love that, because it's how I feel."
"I do feel like a bouncy lamb, getting more annoying as I get older," she added. "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'." Seemingly reflecting on her health struggles, Davina added: "I can't believe how lucky I am."
Opening Up About Cardiovascular Disease
Davina opened up about having cardiovascular disease during an episode of her podcast, Begin Again, in a discussion with heart attack survivor Louise McGill. Stressing the significance of women taking their cardiovascular health seriously, she said: "This is a very important conversation to have."
"Anyone can get sick and when I had my cancer experience, you just suddenly feel vulnerable in a way you weren't before. Once you've been ill, you think 'Oh, I thought I was invincible'," she added.
Davina disclosed that she had been informed of her high cholesterol prior to her diagnosis, explaining: "I had high cholesterol and had it for quite a long time. It was deemed I had good cholesterol and that offset the bad or something."
Encouraging Others to Take Wellbeing Seriously
Since going public with her experience, she has encouraged others to take their wellbeing seriously, remain alert to potential warning signs and seek professional medical guidance rather than dismissing their worries. "If there's one takeaway today it's not to brush things off," she stressed.
According to the NHS, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the name for a group of conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels. It can often be prevented by having a healthy lifestyle or taking medicines if you need them. The symptoms of CVD vary depending on the specific condition involved, and in some cases there may be no noticeable symptoms whatsoever.
For certain individuals, the first indication that they are suffering from CVD could be the onset of chest pain (angina), a heart attack or a stroke. The NHS Health Check is a complimentary check-up available to those aged 40 to 74, designed to assess the condition of their heart and blood vessels. It can determine whether you are at an elevated risk of developing CVD.
