Davina McCall Reveals Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis

Davina McCall has disclosed that she has cardiovascular disease, sharing the news during a recent episode of her podcast, 'Begin Again'. The revelation comes after the 59-year-old's previous health struggles, including a brain tumor diagnosis in 2024 and breast cancer, for which she received an all-clear in April.

In a special episode focusing on heart health, McCall was joined by heart attack survivor Louise McGill. During their conversation, McCall revealed her own diagnosis. "I just also wanted to let you know that I also have cardiovascular disease and this is a very important conversation to have," she stated.

McCall drew parallels between her experience and McGill's, noting that both had experienced high cholesterol readings. "I think that's really interesting, because that's exactly what happened to me," McCall said. "I had high cholesterol and I'd had it for quite a long time and it was deemed because I had high good cholesterol that that offset the bad or something."

The NHS defines cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, often associated with a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. It is a leading cause of death globally, with heart attacks and strokes accounting for a significant proportion of CVD-related fatalities. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, inactivity, and obesity. The risk increases with age, particularly for individuals over 50.

McCall reflected on how her cancer battles had altered her perspective on health and invincibility. "Anyone can get sick and when I had my cancer experience, you just suddenly feel vulnerable in a way you weren’t before," she shared. "Once you’ve been ill, you think 'Oh, I thought I was invincible'."

Previously, McCall had spoken about her high cholesterol, which she was first made aware of 20 years ago during her first pregnancy. She continues to have regular checks to monitor it. She emphasized that high cholesterol is a manageable condition, though many people do not get checked for it.

McCall also discussed stepping back from full-time work following her health diagnoses. She described her past tendency to avoid change and overwork, but stated that her recent health challenges have prompted a significant shift in her priorities. "I really, really had to put that into place. And I have now," she said, referring to destressing her life. "I'm going to work a four-day week. I feel so much better now about my life and trying to get it more balanced."

She added that her current focus is on self-care. "So now, really, as I hit this stage of my life, I want to take more care of myself. That is my latest project: me, because I can't take care of anyone else if I'm not okay."