Interview with Jane Seymour: Modern Day Medicine Woman

Jane Seymour talks about living with high blood pressure and staying proactive in maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Perhaps best known for her role in the highly popular television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Jane Seymour has honed her acting skills in virtually all media, the Broadway stage motion pictures and television. The multiple Emmy and Golden Globe award winner is also an accomplished painter in watercolors and a designer. But few people know that Jane has been living with a medical condition that affects more than one-third of American adults—high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. She recently talked with HealthPoint Magazine to share her thoughts about living a healthy life.

When did you first learn you had high blood pressure?
I was 44 years old and pregnant with twins. Six weeks before my due date, my blood pressure was off the charts. It was a classic case of preeclampsia, a very serious medical condition that can be fatal. My doctor told me to go to the hospital immediately. As soon as I arrived, I went straight to the delivery room. It was touch and go for a while. Three days after I had my two beautiful twins, my doctor finally told me how close to death I had been.

Had high blood pressure ever been a concern before?
No. It was a big surprise. There were no symptoms, which is often the case with hypertension. I wasn’t overweight and thought of myself as fit and healthy. It was only later that I really become aware that both my parents had high blood pressure and heart disease, so it definitely runs in my family. Back then, heart disease was considered to be a man’s disease, so it wasn’t on my radar. We’ve come a long way in understanding that heart disease is also a woman’s disease with different symptoms than men.

What changes in your life have you made to manage your high blood pressure?
Well, I’m a big believer in using both science and a healthy lifestyle to treat hypertension. In addition to taking a medication to lower my blood pressure, I walk almost every day and eat a healthy diet that includes fish and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. I love almonds and pistachios, but I try to stay away from salt as much as possible.

What advice do you have for women when it comes to their health?
Women today have so many roles and responsibilities: work, running a household, raising their children, being a wife. That leaves very little time and energy for women to take care of themselves. So it’s very important for all women to remember that the only way they can take care of the people they love is to first take care of themselves.

So how can woman do that—take care of themselves?
I think it starts with each woman taking the time to listen to her body. A doctor can perform tests and prescribe medications, but no doctor can know exactly how your body is feeling. Only you can. If something’s not quite right with your body or how you’re feeling, tell your doctor. Start a conversation so you can both take a closer look at what’s going on. It’s also important for women to know if they have any family history of heart disease and high blood pressure.

Any final thoughts?
Your heart is a pump. It works hard every day. So you need to take care of it. Think of your heart as a car engine. It needs regular maintenance in order to keep running for a long time. It’s the same thing with your heart. See your doctor for regular checkups and make regular exercise and a healthy diet part of your life. I’ve been doing that for more than 20 years, and I know it’s made a big difference in my life.