Jane Seymour is known for playing the iconic “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” but off-screen, she is dealing with medical matters that hit much closer to home. The actress is sparking an emotional conversation across social media after opening up about the recent loss of her best friend and her own family’s harrowing history with heart disease.
In a move that has fans applauding her transparency, Seymour has stepped into a new role as a national ambassador for the American Heart Association (AHA). The partnership comes at a poignant time for the star, who recently said goodbye to her longtime friend, producer and assistant director Nicolas Hippisley-Coxe.
A Life-Changing Transformation
The “Harry Wild” star revealed that Hippisley-Coxe managed to defy the odds for years after a severe heart disease diagnosis. By undergoing open-heart surgery, receiving numerous stents, and committing to a radical lifestyle change, he transformed his health from the inside out.
“He definitely gave himself at least or more years of life that he would have lost if he had kept doing what he was doing,” Seymour shared, noting that he lost pounds through diet and exercise.
The story of his determination is resonating deeply with followers on platforms like Instagram, where fans are sharing their own stories of health transformations. Seymour’s message is clear: while we often obsess over how we look, the real priority should be how our bodies are functioning.
“I’m Choosing Years of Life”
Speaking via Zoom from Ireland, Seymour did not hold back when discussing the reality of medical maintenance. She addressed the common hesitation people feel regarding medication side effects with a dose of “Dr. Quinn” wisdom.
“If they say, ‘Take this pill every day at this time,’ that’s what you do,” she insisted. “You don’t go, ‘Well, it says I might have achy joints.’ No, would you like more years of life even if you have the occasional achy joint? I’m choosing years of life, thank you very much.”
This candid approach to aging and wellness is being hailed by fans as a much-needed reality check. Seymour pointed out a startling statistic that many women overlook: heart disease is a leading cause of death for women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined.
A Family Legacy of Resilience
For Seymour, the “pump” that gives us life has always been a focal point. Her mother suffered a stroke, and her father underwent both a valve replacement and a quadruple heart bypass. To prepare for her role in the movie “Heart of a Stranger,” where she played a heart transplant recipient, she actually went into the operating room.
“I’ve watched four open-heart surgeries,” she recalled. “It is quite extraordinary when you actually watch the surgery, and you see this miracle… It’s like macrame. It is unbelievable what they do.”
Helping Others “Take Care of the Machine”
Through her new national PSA, Seymour is urging the public to support the AHA and, more importantly, to listen to their own bodies. She emphasizes that simple choices – walking the dog, managing stress, and getting enough sleep – are the best ways to “take care of the machine.”
As the PSA debuts nationwide, the online community is rallying behind Seymour’s mission. Her blend of personal grief and professional advocacy is serving as a powerful reminder that while we cannot control everything, we can make choices that give us more time with the ones we love.
“Take it seriously,” Seymour urged. “That pump, that’s what’s giving you life.”
