In an honest moment, acclaimed actor Sean Hayes revealed a heart-stopping experience where he saw the emergency room twice on one night due to a heart condition. He is most recognized for his role as Jack McFarland in the hit sitcom “Will & Grace.” Hayes spoke of this health memoir on a recent episode of the “SmartLess” podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow actors Will Arnett and Jason Bateman.
Hayes remembered waking in the middle of the night with heart symptoms. By the time his condition had become serious enough to awaken him, he had decided not to disturb his husband, Scott Icenogle. Hayes drove himself to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; there, medical professionals performed a treatment commonly known as “paddling”—using defibrillator paddles—to restore normal heart rhythm. After the treatment, Hayes returned home, only to experience a recurrence of symptoms an hour later, prompting a second trip to the ER for the same procedure.
This incident is associated with Hayes’ diagnosis of AFib, or atrial fibrillation, in which the heartbeat is irregular and often rapid; these factors sometimes contribute to other symptoms, such as fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Proper management can help prevent stroke and heart failure.
Although things were serious, Hayes was the first to joke about it as well. He even compared frequent trips to the ER to visiting the same local watering hole: “I’m like Norm from Cheers. because I’m in there all the time.” Remarkably, two defibrillation procedures in one night left Hayes feeling good enough to go out for dinner the next evening.
This is not the first time for Hayes to encounter major health issues. For instance, in 2017, he went through a serious case where his small intestine burst due to perforation, necessitating him to be rushed into emergency surgery. He has also often spoken candidly, though with a good mix of humor, about his dealings with other health issues.
Hayes’s openness about his health struggles reminds one of the importance of the knowledge of the medical condition being diagnosed and managed. His ability to keep a positive outlook and public airing of his experiences encourages others who are facing similar health challenges.
Besides all this, he cohosts “SmartLess.” The podcast features Hayes and his cohosts having conversations with a wide range of guests, many of whom open up to share personal stories about themselves. The willingness of such a person as Hayes to discuss his health issues in the open for such platforms destigmatizes conversation about individual health.
While listening to one’s body is an important lesson in Hayes’s story, his very victories underscore the need to be ever vigilant regarding one’s health. His experiences also remind individuals of the value of humor and resilience in the face of life’s unpredictabilities.
While sharing his story, Hayes shines light on the facts of living with a condition like AFib and gives hope and persistence to others who are navigating their way through health journeys.
