Melissa Claire Egan is speaking out about a serious health scare. The longtime Young and the Restless actor revealed she has been diagnosed with coronary heart disease at 44. She said she chose to go public because the issue is “too important not to share,” especially for women. Doctors caught it early, and she says treatment is already in place.
Melissa Claire Egan posts on Instagram about coronary heart disease diagnosis
Melissa Claire Egan opened up on Instagram about a serious health update, revealing that doctors diagnosed her with coronary heart disease in late January. She told followers that early detection and medication put her in a good place and reassured everyone that she expects to be okay. Although she described herself as naturally “private,” she said the situation felt too important not to share.
The diagnosis started after routine bloodwork came back abnormal, which led her doctor to send her to a cardiologist. A heart calcium scan uncovered plaque buildup in her LAD artery, commonly nicknamed the “widow maker.” She explained that the blockage is mild and likely genetic, though it’s unusual for a 44-year-old woman. Egan added that if doctors had missed it, the plaque could have ruptured and triggered a deadly heart attack or stroke within five to 10 years, possibly even earlier.
Katherine Egan used her platform to encourage women to talk to their doctors and get checked for coronary heart disease risk. Egan also opened up about the emotional side of the diagnosis. The night she got the news, she lay next to her sons while putting them to bed and felt “so grateful to God and my doctors that I found this early.”
She reminded followers that heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of women, accounting for one in three deaths each year. To help change that, she said she’s teaming up with the American Heart Association to raise awareness and push more women to take their heart health seriously.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on ComingSoon.net.
