According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 13 percent of Americans between 45 and 64 have some form of heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 10 percent have been diagnosed with cancer. The rich and famous aren't immune to these deadly diseases... and then some.
Diseases don't discriminate and celebrities are no exception. Despite the benefits of unlimited resources, access to the best in medical care, nutrition, and personal fitness trainers, these stars are just as susceptible to life-altering, life-threatening conditions as the average Joe. Among those who have faced these conditions -- and lived to tell about it -- are:
Rosie O’Donnell
In 2012, what started out as an ordinary day for actress Rosie O’Donnell quickly turned into a life-changing moment for her. After helping a heavy-set women out of her car, the actress began to develop a series of strange symptoms: she felt sore and bruised - which she chalked up to overexertion. She began to feel clammy and nauseated, and developed a fever. Despite logging on and checking the symptoms of heart attacks in women, O’Donnell wasn’t convinced that what she was experiencing was truly that. She took a Bayer aspirin and waited a day before being seen, seeking medical attention only because her symptoms failed to improve.