Guest co-host Star Jones, who has had open-heart surgery, offered comforting words to Hostin, saying, “You are meant to be open with your girls.”
Sunny Hostin became emotional during a segment on cardiac health on The View, sharing that a beloved family member had passed away from a heart attack just the day before.
“I’m sorry, my aunt passed away yesterday due to a heart attack,” Hostin, 56, told her co-hosts on the February 5 episode of The View, tearing up as guest host Star Jones shared her own health experiences to kick off American Heart Month.
“I’m really sorry, Sunny,” Alyssa Farah Griffin said, while Jones, 62, reassured Hostin, “Please know that your aunt is now with her God, and we are here to honor her legacy.”
“I’m sorry to everyone,” Hostin said; in response, Jones comforted her, saying, “Don’t worry about that. We are your girls. You are meant to be open with your girls. That’s what this is all about.”
It was Jones’ sharing of her cardiac history, along with tips on how people can protect their heart health, that prompted Hostin to reveal the news of her aunt’s passing.
Jones, a national volunteer for the American Heart Association, shared her story, saying, “I had open-heart surgery fourteen years ago.” She pointed out that both she and her former co-host, Barbara Walters, had the same procedure within just six months of each other.
“I see myself as both a survivor and a thriver, as my life has greatly improved,” Jones said. She stressed that even after fourteen years since her surgery, cardiovascular disease continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States, especially among Black women.
Jones noted that many instances of cardiovascular disease can be reduced through lifestyle changes: “There’s no magic fix; it’s about eating healthier and exercising regularly,” she explained. “I used to be incredibly inactive. Now, I’m dedicated to working out because I have no other choice.”
She encouraged people to “stay informed about your health metrics. Know your blood pressure, your good and bad cholesterol levels, and your blood sugar levels. This is the time to take action. Schedule an EKG; most insurance plans now cover this as part of preventive care.”
Furthermore, Jones recommended managing stress, getting enough sleep, and quitting smoking, calling it “the most foolish, expensive, and dangerously life-threatening habit one can have.”
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