Susan Lucci, famously known as ‘Daytime’s Leading Lady,’ has had a remarkable career as an actress and TV host. Her portrayal of Erica Kane in All My Children made her a household name and is considered iconic. Lucci’s influence extends beyond acting, as she was named one of VH1’s 200 Top Icons of All Time and ranked as one of Barbara Walters’s Ten Most Fascinating People.
However, in recent years, Lucci has faced significant health challenges. In 2018, she underwent emergency heart surgery after doctors discovered a major blockage in her arteries, which could have led to a fatal heart attack. She had been experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and pressure, which prompted her to visit the hospital. After tests, it was revealed that she had 90% blockage in her main artery and 70% in another branch.
In a recent interview, Lucci revealed that she had to undergo a second emergency cardiac surgery. This time, the symptoms were less severe, but just like before, she recognized them in time. Dr. Richard Shlofmitz, chairman of cardiology at St. Francis Hospital, commented that although she wasn’t having a heart attack, the symptoms were concerning and could have led to a severe heart event had they gone unnoticed.
In 2022, just two months after her surgery, Lucci faced another heartbreaking loss when her husband, Helmut Huber, passed away at 84. She shared, “After that, nothing seemed important, my health or anything else. I lost the love of my life, and that’s been awful. But I have friends who make me laugh and keep me going, and I’m determined to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
Lucci opened up about her health struggles to encourage other women to be proactive about their health. She advised, “Listen to your heart and act on it. Be your own best friend, be your own advocate. You’ll save your life.” She also emphasized that not every cardiac condition has obvious symptoms, as not everyone feels it in their chest.
In 2019, Lucci walked the runway at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection, using her platform to raise awareness for heart health.
Lucci is grateful for the doctors who saved her life and is thankful to be able to share her journey with others.
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