Jennie Garth, Shawn Johnson and More Stars Share Their Top Heart Health Tips (EXCLUSIVE)
From getting more fiber to making time to unwind, these tips are easy and effective
This year’s American Heart Association Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection Concert saw iconic stars join forces to advocate for women’s heart health. On January 30, to kick off American Heart Month in February, leading ladies including Jennie Garth, Wendie Malick, Lorraine Bracco and more gathered to discuss their personal connections to the cause. And they shared exclusively with Woman’s World how they keep their hearts healthy on a regular basis. Read on to discover their heart-smart tips.
6 famous women share their best heart health tips
From favorite exercises to balanced diets and relaxation techniques, here’s how these successful celebs prioritize their heart health each day.
Jennie Garth focuses on fiber
Woman's World Answers
In 2009, the Beverly Hills 90210 actress revealed to Access Hollywood that she had been diagnosed with a leaky heart valve. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this is a common form of heart valve disease. It occurs when one of the four valves in the heart doesn’t close tightly, allowing some blood to flow in the wrong direction each time the valve closes.
A leaky valve can be managed with a healthy lifestyle. For Garth’s part, she keeps her body moving with exercises like weight training and walking, and she prioritizes quality sleep, she tells Woman’s World. Her main goal right now is incorporating enough protein and fiber in her diet, she adds.
“We’re finding out more and more that fiber is very important to women’s health,” Garth says.
Wendie Malick exercises outdoors
The Hot In Cleveland alum exercises at least four or five times a week, focusing on low-impact activities including lifting light weights and Pilates. She tells us she hikes every day, as being immersed in nature is a key factor in her overall wellbeing.
Indeed, one meta-analysis published in Environmental Research found that greenspace exposure is associated with reduced blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol (the stress hormone), type 2 diabetes, stroke and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
Christine Lahti cycles every day
Rarely does a day go by that you can’t find this Golden Globe winner on her Peloton,
riding an impressive four miles in about 20 minutes, in fact. She told Woman’s World she also makes it a point to keep in touch with her doctors and be proactive about her health.
“I try to eat right—I do my best, but I also see my cardiologist twice a year and do complete blood work, look at cholesterol and blood sugar levels,” she says.
Lorraine Bracco finds the joy in life
As cardiovascular disease runs in her family, the Sopranos star keeps a close eye on her heart health. Her top self-care methods include walking, eating right and trying to stay happy, she reveals.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, people who are content with their lives or feel a sense of wellbeing may be less likely to develop heart disease and/or stroke compared to those who reported feeling less happiness.
Liza Colon-Zayas takes time to de-stress
2024 was a breakout year for this fan-favorite The Bear actress. To safeguard heart health—even on her busiest days—she says she listens and stays in touch with her emotions.
“I’m learning to tune out what stresses me out,” she told Woman’s World. “I think rest is key.”
In that spirit, the Emmy winner is a proponent of taking small steps toward optimal health instead of trying to make massive lifestyle overhauls.
“Do small things—breathing, walking just a little bit more, swap out something for maybe a salad or yogurt. I think that those small steps are actually doable and will stick,” says Colón-Zayas.
Shawn Johnson strength trains
The gold medal-winning Olympic gymnast and husband Andrew East make sure to get plenty of fresh air and spend time laughing with their kids, Johnson shares. And while Johnson told Woman’s World her family strives for a healthy diet, they allow themselves to eat everything in moderation.
As for staying active? The busy mom of three little ones said she prefers lifting weights, adding that it also helps her relieve tension.
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