Modern Family Star Julie Bowen Reveals Pacemaker Implant at 29

Julie Bowen, star of Modern Family, revealed on the Inside of You podcast that she has had a pacemaker since she was 29 due to a heart condition called sick sinus syndrome, also known as hypervagotonia, which causes her heart rate to drop dangerously low. Initially mistaking her low heart rate for that of a competitive runner, her sister, a medical graduate, detected the abnormality while on vacation and urged her to see a cardiologist. Despite initial reluctance, Bowen sought medical attention after filming the pilot of Ed and was fitted with a pacemaker that prevents her heart rate from falling below 45 beats per minute, as her natural resting rate had been in the 30s. Doctors warned that while the condition was unlikely to be fatal, it could cause her to pass out, posing risks such as fainting while driving. Bowen described the experience as shocking and frightening, expressing the emotional impact of facing a serious health issue at a young age. She often forgets she has the pacemaker but acknowledges its importance in managing her condition.