“The Sopranos”’ Aida Turturro Suffered a Heart Attack Without Realizing It, Says ‘I Should’ve Died Then, but I Didn’t’

Aida Turturro, the actress best known for portraying Janice Soprano in the acclaimed series *The Sopranos*, has revealed that she suffered a heart attack several years ago without realising it at the time. Now 63, Turturro shared her health journey during a candid discussion on the latest episode of the podcast *MeSsy*, hosted by Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Reflecting on her past health struggles, Turturro disclosed that she had been experiencing chest pains for an extended period, which she initially attributed to a possible hiatal hernia. “I was having chest pains for a while,” she recounted. Her symptoms were mistakenly thought to be associated with this condition, which can mimic heart attack symptoms, a fact she learned later.

Turturro, who also deals with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, explained that her health issues were exacerbated by considerable stress in her life at the time. “I should’ve died. I could’ve died. I was lucky it wasn’t my time,” she admitted, highlighting the connection between diabetes and heart disease, as noted by medical authorities like Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Two years before the heart attack, she believed her pains were non-critical and linked to a common digestive condition. She mentioned that she once dismissed a friend’s concern about the severity of her condition: “My friend’s daughter was like, ‘Should we call the ambulance?’ and I was like, ‘Nah, I’m fine’.” After insisting on returning home, she ultimately decided to seek medical advice when the pain became unmanageable.

It wasn’t until she consulted her cousin’s doctor a few days later that she realised the gravity of her situation. “It sounds like you might need to go to a cardiologist,” the doctor suggested. It was during this visit that she learnt she had indeed suffered a heart attack, with alarming levels of arterial blockage reported at “88 to 90 per cent”.

Following this revelation, Turturro was quickly admitted to the emergency room where she underwent a quadruple bypass surgery. “I could’ve died, I should’ve died then, but I didn’t,” she asserted, reflecting on the life-changing experience.

Since her health crisis, the actress has made significant lifestyle changes. “I’m blessed with beautiful people in my life. It’s all in your brain,” she noted, emphasising the importance of self-care. She advocates for prioritising health not only for oneself but also for the well-being of family and loved ones, urging others to take proactive steps in caring for their health.

Turturro’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for awareness around heart health, particularly for those with existing conditions like diabetes. Her openness about her struggle aims to inspire others to seek medical attention when faced with troubling symptoms, rather than dismissing them as minor issues.

In her conversation on the podcast, she underscored the necessity of collective responsibility in health, stating, “Get everybody involved because this is a priority. This is our life, we’re doing this together.” Her message resonates as an empowering call to action for individuals to embrace their health and support one another in the journey.