‘Modern Family’ star Julie Bowen reveals she has lived with a heart condition since age 29

Modern Family star Julie Bowen has revealed that she has been living with a pacemaker since she was just 29 due to a heart condition causing her heart rate to drop very low.

“I do have a pacemaker,” the 55-year-old actress said during her appearance on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast on July 1, adding that she often forgets it is even there. 

Bowen shared that she was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, also known as Hypervagotonia, which leads to “persistent vagal overactivity” and sinus node dysfunction. This means her heart rate would drop dangerously low.

The actress explained that her pacemaker is set to alert her if her heart rate falls below 45 beats per minute. For comparison, the typical resting heart rate for women is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

Bowen credited her sister, then a medical student, with noticing something was wrong while on holiday after listening to her heartbeat with a stethoscope.

Initially, Bowen believed her low heart rate was due to her history as a competitive runner. However, she later sought medical advice and received her pacemaker shortly after filming the pilot of Ed.

Reflecting on the moment, Bowen said, “I was like ‘Oh my god, my life is over. This is so weird, I’m going to die.’” 

Although doctors reassured her that the condition would not be fatal, Bowen had been experiencing frequent fainting spells, describing a “vague feeling” of lightheadedness while relaxing.

“They said, ‘You’re going to be driving a car and you’re going to pass out and you’re going to kill somebody,’” Bowen shared. “And I was like ‘Oh, well then give me the goddamn pacemaker.’”