Davina McCall, 59, has revealed she has been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD) — a group of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels — following her 2024 brain tumor surgery and 2025 breast cancer treatment,
How she shared the news
McCall announced the diagnosis on her Begin Again podcast, speaking with heart attack survivor Louise McGill to stress the importance of women’s cardiovascular health.
She said:
“I wanted to let you know, I also have cardiovascular disease, and this is a very important conversation to have” .
She noted that she had long-term high cholesterol, which was previously thought to be offset by her “good” cholesterol, but now she has a confirmed CVD diagnosis Yahoo News Singapore+1.
Health journey
2024: Underwent surgery to remove a rare 14 mm benign brain tumour (colloid cyst) Yahoo News UK.
2025: Diagnosed with breast cancer; received a lumpectomy in October and five days of radiotherapy Yahoo News UK.
April 2025: Received the “all clear” from breast cancer Oxford Mail.
McCall described feeling more vulnerable after her cancer experience and urged women, especially post‑menopausal, not to “brush things off” when symptoms appear AOL+1.
What is cardiovascular disease?
According to the NHS, CVD covers conditions like coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, aortic disease, and strokes. It is often caused by fatty build‑up in the arteries, restricting blood flow Yahoo News Singapore+1.
Risk factors include smoking, excess alcohol, obesity, inactivity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and certain ethnic backgrounds Yahoo News Singapore.
Symptoms and advice
Common signs include chest pain, pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and in women, more subtle symptoms. McCall and the British Heart Foundation are urging regular health checks, monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol, and staying proactive about heart health www.newsminimalist.com.
Key takeaway
McCall’s disclosure highlights that heart disease is a major risk for women after menopause and that awareness, early detection, and lifestyle management are vital AOL+1.
She has partnered with the British Heart Foundation to promote these messages www.newsminimalist.com.
Davina McCall’s current fitness and nutrition plan blends short, focused strength sessions, daily movement, and balanced, whole‑food meals — with a focus on muscle maintenance and enjoyment rather than extreme restriction.
Workout Routine
Davina, now 58, has shifted from her younger‑years HIIT and long cardio sessions to strength‑first trainingCosmopolitan.
Her current approach:
30 minutes running (often a brisk walk or jog) followed by 20 minutes of strength workCosmopolitan.
Strength training focuses on form over rep count — she avoids high‑repetition HIIT to prevent sacrificing technique Cosmopolitan.
Post‑2024 brain surgery, she rebuilt muscle slowly: daily walks, then 15‑minute gym sessions, gradually increasing intensity Cosmopolitan+1.
She uses her Own Your Goals platform for structured, under‑30‑minute workouts, mixing functional fitness, light cardio, and resistance training Women’s Health.
Daily movement includes walking her dog Bo and occasional boxing sessions with her trainer Women’s Health+1.
Key tips:
Start in sportswear to prime your mind for exercise Yahoo Life UK.
Keep sessions short and manageable to avoid stress hormone spikes Women’s Health.
Prioritise technique, not just numbers.
Diet & Nutrition
Davina’s diet is balanced, flexible, and not overly restrictiveHELLO!:
Breakfast: Tea with collagen powder, granola and milk, or occasionally a crumpet (1.5–2).
Lunch: Main meal of the day — pasta, courgetti, eggs, or fish with vegetables and carbs; she loves Philadelphia Light cream cheese as a sauce.
General approach: No strict sugar ban — she avoids refined sugar when possible but allows occasional treats.
She emphasises whole foods, variety, and cooking at home for family meals.
Key tips:
Eat after workouts when possible.
Use lighter versions of favorite condiments for flavor without excess calories.
Stay flexible — if you’ve indulged, return to your usual plan the next day HELLO!.
Takeaway
Davina’s “body many of us would kill to have” comes from consistent, enjoyable movement and nutritious, balanced eating — adapted to her age, health, and lifestyle. You don’t need to copy her exactly, but you can borrow her focus on strength, form, daily activity, and whole‑food meals to support your own health and fitness Cosmopolitan+2.
Television presenter Davina McCall has revealed she has cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a health update following her battles with breast cancer and a brain tumour.
The former Big Brother presenter has faced a number of health setbacks in recent years; in 2024, she received brain surgery to remove a rare 14mm benign tumour, shortly after which she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I wanted to let you know, I also have cardiovascular disease, and this is a very important conversation to have,” she said on her podcast, Begin Again.
The 59-year-old spoke with heart attack survivor Louise McGill to highlight the vital importance of women’s cardiovascular health.
But what actually is cardiovascular disease (CVD)? Here, The Independent takes a look at the conditions’ main symptoms and risk factors.
What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
According to the NHS, CVD refers to the “group of conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels”.
It notes there are different types of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), aortic disease and strokes.
There are different types of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Getty/iStock)
The NHS says CVD is often caused by a build-up of fat in the arteries, making it hard for blood to flow through the body. It can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle or medication if required.
Who is most at risk?
Different lifestyle and biological factors can lead to an increased risk of CVD, according to the NHS.
For example, those who smoke, consume excessive amounts of alcohol, are overweight or not active may be more likely to get CVD.
The condition also “mainly affects people over 50 years old”, while “men are more likely to get CVD than women” and “you may be more likely to get CVD if you’re from a South Asian, Black African or African Caribbean ethnic background”.
‘Men are more likely to get CVD than women,’ according to the NHS (Getty/iStock)
Meanwhile, those who have relatives diagnosed with CVD could face a heightened risk, alongside patients with conditions like high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
What are the main symptoms of cardiovascular disease?
The NHS says the “symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) will depend on the condition you have”, while patients might not experience any symptoms for “some conditions”.
It notes that the first signs of CVD for some may include chest pain, stroke or a heart attack.
Specifically, for coronary heart disease (CHD), patients may experience symptoms such as angina (chest pain) alongside feelings of faintness or nausea.
Symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD)
NHS
The main symptoms of coronary heart disease are:
Chest pain (angina)
Shortness of breath
Pain in your neck, shoulders, jaw or arms
Feeling faint
Feeling sick (nausea)
What can I do to help prevent CVD?
According to the NHS, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in Britain.
Those with an elevated chance of CVD might be told to take statins, which help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
However, the NHS says there are also a number of “lifestyle changes” that could help lower the risk of CVD, or prevent it from worsening.
These include having a balanced diet, minimising the consumption of fatty foods, participating in regular exercise, maintaining a health weight, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake.
The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.
Yahoo News UK.
Oxford Mail.
Cosmopolitan+1.
Yahoo Life UK.
