Davina McCall on her cardiovascular disease diagnosis

After bursting on to our TV screens back in the nineties, presenter Davina McCall went on to establish a reputation as something of a holistic health and fitness guru, releasing workout DVDs, nutritional advice books and podcasts that shine a light on good mental health. And so headlines about Davina’s health have no doubt come as a shock to many of her followers, including the latest news about her diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.

A series of health battles

In 2024, Davina hit the headlines when she revealed she was to undergo neurosurgery to remove a 14mm colloid cyst. Thankfully, this rare type of brain tumour was benign, the surgery was a success and she made a full recovery.

However, in 2025 Davina suffered another knock-back when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing treatment, Davina received the all-clear in 2026.

But sadly just a few months later, Davina’s health took yet another unexpected hit when in October 2026 she revealed on her podcast that she had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease, also known as CVD, refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is often caused is by a build-up of fat in the arteries which makes it difficult for blood to flow through, increasing the risk of blood clots.

It is most commonly associated with risk factors such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and not doing enough exercise, and this is precisely why the news about Davina McCall’s diagnosis stopped so many people in their tracks.

Know the risk factors

Cardiovascular disease is usually associated with men over the age of 50. Studies also show that you may be more likely to develop the condition if your ethnic background is South Asian, Black African or African Caribbean. And having family members with CVD also elevates your risk, as does a diagnosis of other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

However, as Davina’s case highlights, just because the factors listed above may elevate an individual’s risk, it does not mean that everyone else is risk-free.

In fact, when revealing her diagnosis, Davina made it clear that the condition can affect anyone, even those who look and feel fit and healthy. She particularly appealed to postmenopausal women to educate themselves about the condition and urged them to get their blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked.

What is the link between the menopause and cardiovascular health?

During the menopause, oestrogen levels naturally deplete and this decline can affect the heart and blood vessels. Changes during the menopause years can:

• Increase cholesterol levels
• Raise blood pressure
• Change body fat distribution (increased abdominal fat has been linked to cardiovascular risk)
• Affect blood sugar regulation (which may increase the risk of developing metabolic conditions associated with heart disease)

Recognise the signs

Some people are completely unaware that they have cardiovascular disease because it can be symptomless until it culminates in a heart attack, for example. Others may experience some of the following signs and symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Feeling faint or light-headed
• Heart palpitations
• Numbness in the arms or legs

Take action and lower your risk

If you would like tailored help and advice on how to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, book an appointment at YourGP.

We can provide a range of tests, including blood pressure tests and cholesterol checks, which together with an overview of your family history and current lifestyle can help us to build a picture of your current heart health.

We can then use this information to help you take proactive steps to reduce your risk by offering personalised advice such as lifestyle changes, nutritional improvements and recommended exercises. Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol and effectively managing stress levels can also greatly reduce your risk, and we can help you in those areas too.

Book your appointment using our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.