Former ‘The View’ co-host Star Jones, 63, recently graced the red carpet looking healthier than ever, revealing her open-heart surgery in 2010 not only saved her life but also fueled her mission to become a passionate advocate for heart health awareness among women.
For fans and followers of iconic television personalities, seeing Star Jones step back into the limelight is always a welcome sight. Best known as one of the original co-hosts of ABC’s hit talk show The View, alongside television legends Barbara Walters and Joy Behar, Jones has maintained a somewhat lower profile in recent years. Her recent appearance at the 27th Annual Angel Ball in New York City, however, brought her health journey back into focus, showcasing a woman who is not just surviving, but thriving after a life-altering medical experience.
A Decade of Dedication: From Diagnosis to Advocacy
At 63, Star Jones looked remarkably svelte and healthy on the red carpet, a testament to her enduring commitment to wellness. Her elegant brown silk halter dress and fur coat highlighted her transformation. This public appearance was more than just a fashion statement; it was a powerful declaration of her victory over significant health challenges, primarily heart disease, which necessitated open-heart surgery more than a decade ago.
Jones has openly shared the details of her health roller coaster, which began long before her heart disease diagnosis. For many years, she struggled with being “severely overweight.” Her initial efforts focused on significant lifestyle changes, adopting new eating habits, and establishing a regular exercise regimen. While these efforts yielded positive results in weight management and general well-being, she continued to experience unsettling symptoms that hinted at a deeper issue.
The Unnerving Symptoms and a Frightening Diagnosis
Despite her improved lifestyle, Jones reported experiencing a series of “weird symptoms” that alarmed her. These included:
- Shortness of breath: A persistent feeling of not getting enough air.
- Lightheadedness: A sensation of faintness or dizziness.
- Dizziness upon standing: A common symptom of orthostatic hypotension, but in her case, indicative of heart issues.
- Intense heart palpitations: A sensation that her heart was racing, pounding, or skipping beats.
“It unnerved me. It made me know something was wrong,” she candidly shared in an interview with People. These symptoms prompted her to consult a cardiologist, leading to a crucial diagnosis in 2010: heart disease. The immediate recommendation was open-heart surgery.
The news was, understandably, terrifying. “Anybody that says getting a diagnosis of heart disease doesn’t frighten them, is not telling the truth. I was scared,” Jones recalled. The medical explanation of the procedure – “We have to crack your chest and we will disconnect your heart and you’ll be on the heart and lung machine” – brought her face-to-face with her own mortality.
The Life-Saving Procedure and a New Lease on Life
The open-heart surgery was a profound experience for Jones. She remembers her heart being “disconnected for 22 minutes” on the operating table. Despite the inherent fears, the procedure was a success, and she now unequivocally states that it “saved her life.”
Emerging from the hospital as a “heart-healthy person,” Star Jones committed herself to not taking her health for granted. She refers to herself as a “heart disease survivor and thriver,” emphasizing not just overcoming the illness but actively flourishing afterward. This transformative experience spurred a deep desire to learn everything she could about heart disease, leading her to realize that she, like many women, had been “living in a bubble” regarding heart health.
“Open-heart surgery saved my life but me knowing more about my heart risk and focusing on my health is what gave me my life back,” she shared.
A Powerful Voice for Women’s Heart Health
Since her recovery, Star Jones has channeled her personal experience into a powerful platform for advocacy. She has become a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association, dedicating 14 years to raising awareness. Her work focuses particularly on women, as heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
Jones actively works to bridge critical knowledge gaps regarding heart health among women. She highlights a concerning trend: while women are comfortable discussing screenings like mammograms and breast exams for cancer, they are often less inclined to talk about the signs and symptoms of heart disease or their family health history.
As the public face of Medtronic’s “Letter to My Mother” campaign, Jones encourages women to engage in vital conversations about family health histories. A survey sponsored by Medtronic revealed that approximately 45% of women aged 30 to 50 are unlikely to discuss family health history with their parents. Furthermore, one in three women have not discussed heart health with their doctors.
“As women, we are our own best advocates, but without the confidence, knowledge, or resources to discuss our health history, we are missing out on potential life-saving conversations,” Jones stated. She views these conversations as critical preparation, empowering women to be “well-armed” in the battle against heart disease, a battle she believes the nation must fight together. Through her advocacy, Star Jones continues to inspire countless individuals, ensuring her personal triumph resonates far beyond the red carpet.
