American actress Jennie Garth’s stroll in LA on a hot day! A look at her heart condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse and its implications!

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: shahid | In Health , Lifestyle , Wellness

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Jennie Garth’s difficult stroll in LA

American actress Jennie Garth, 47 went out hiking on August 30, 2017, with her dog in LA. But it was a very hot day. The heat wave was strong and it could be seen that Jennie Garth is uncomfortable with it.

Her face turned red and she was visibly sweating. She was taking a stroll across Fryman Canyon Park with her pet dog.

Source: Daily Mail (Jennie Garth on a stroll with her dog on a hot LA day)

Jennie Garth was however prepared for the LA heat. She was dressed in a sleeveless top with skimpy monochrome shorts. Her leggy figure stood out with this summer wear.

She had also donned a baseball cap and brightly colored sports trainers. In spite of this minimal wear, Jennie Garth was uncomfortable with the prevailing heat.

The thermometer at that time was displaying around 100 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature. Her dog too could be seen sticking his tongue out and panting.

Jennie Garth’s heart ailment

Jennie Garth has worked in ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ and is a ‘Dancing with the Stars’ alum’. In 2009, Jennie Garth had disclosed in an interview with Access Hollywood that she is suffering from a heart ailment.

She said:

“I’ve been affected by heart disease practically my whole life,”

She added:

“My father has struggled with heart disease since he was 50 and I lost him a year ago.”

Jennie used to get her heart checks done annually in view of her strong family history of heart disease. She said:

“My mother’s mother died of a stroke at 46. My mother has high blood pressure and got it in her early 40s. My sister has high blood pressure and got it in her mid 40s, and one of my half sisters had high blood pressure as well.”

In one of these check-ups, in 2002 she was diagnosed with a ‘leaky valve’ problem. Jennie Garth tried to describe her heart problem to the reporter but was only partially successful in it. She said:

“It’s your connection to your heart… your artery, the main artery that goes to your heart,” she said. “It sort of flutters open and shut sort of a thing, so you… it’s weird because sometimes when I’m resting I can feel a little weird fluttering.”

Jennie Garth had said:

“I have a leaky valve. And it’s a common thing. A lot of people have it, They don’t know they have it… [it] leaks blood.”

Jennie Garth probably, as per her explanation, has a ‘valvular regurgitation’ problem in which blood goes back as the heart pumps due to a leaky valve. But Jennie Garth has no symptoms.

In 2007, she had even participated in the dancing competition show and did not have any problems in spite of the strenuous dance that she did.

Jennie Garth also mentioned that she gets a little fluttering at times and the doctors have told her that if she is symptomatic she may require surgery and valve replacement or repair!

The most likely diagnosis said to be on her on the internet is ‘Mitral Valve prolapse’. She has now a part of and a supporter of the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Campaign.

It is meant to educate women and make them aware of the heart diseases and the importance to take care of their heart.

What is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

It is a heart valve condition in which the valve on the left side of the heart (called the mitral valve) retracts (prolapses) into the upper chamber (left atrium) when the lower chamber (left ventricle) contracts and this leads to some backflow into the upper chamber.

The reason for this is unknown and it is known to run in families. Most of the affected individuals are asymptomatic. It might be an accidental pickup during a routine heart evaluation or an Echocardiography. Those with symptoms may experience chest pain or a fluttering feeling.

Source: Abbott Vascular (Mitral Valve prolapse)

When there is associated valvular regurgitation, symptoms of backflow such as shortness of breath and leg swellings may be noticeable. There may be dizziness or fainting attacks.

Asymptomatic patients do not need any treatment except for regular monitoring. Those with symptoms may need surgical intervention such as a repair or total valve replacement.

Certain medicines are also provided by the doctor which may include pain relievers and beta blockers. Caffeine and stress are to be avoided.

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Short Bio on Jennie Garth

Jennie Garth is an American actress. She is known for starring as Kelly Taylor throughout the Beverly Hills, 90210franchise (1990–2010). She is also popular for her role as Valerie Tyler on the sitcom What I Like About You (2002–06). In 2012, she starred in her own reality show, Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country on CMT. More Bio…

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