Julie Bowen, known for her role in “Modern Family,” recently shared that she got a pacemaker at age 29 due to a heart condition called sick sinus syndrome. This disorder leads to irregular heartbeats and a dangerously low resting heart rate. Bowen, now 55, discussed her experience on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast.
She explained that her pacemaker is set so her heart rate can’t go below 45 beats per minute. Before the pacemaker, her resting heart rate was in the 30s, well below the average of 60 to 100 for adult women. Bowen, a competitive runner in her youth, initially thought her low heart rate was due to her athleticism.
However, her sister Annie Luetkemeyer, a recent medical school graduate, noticed something was wrong during a family vacation. “We were on vacation, and she was like, ‘I want to listen to this,'” Bowen recalled.
Julie Bowen’s heart health journey
“And she listened to my heart, and she was like, ‘That is not what they’ve been telling you. And it’s not runner’s heart or whatever… You need to get this checked out.'”
Bowen was shooting the pilot episode of “Ed” (which premiered in 2000) when she felt compelled to address the issue. She underwent the procedure to get a pacemaker afterward, driven by the significant risks her condition posed.
“You’re lucky you didn’t die before that,” doctors told Bowen. The potential of fainting while driving and causing harm to herself or others was a significant motivator for her to go through with the surgery. Over the years, Bowen has had to replace the batteries in her pacemaker three times but says she often forgets she has it.
“I forget about it all the time,” she said, reflecting on her journey. Bowen’s candid discussion highlights the importance of taking health concerns seriously, regardless of age or perceived fitness levels. Her story serves as a reminder to listen to our bodies and seek medical attention when needed.
