Woman Credits Rosie O’Donnell for Recognizing Heart Attack Symptoms

Denise Warner, 57, originating from the United States and residing in London, extended her gratitude to comedian Rosie O’Donnell for providing life-saving information. In May of the previous year, Warner experienced a heart attack, initially dismissing her symptoms.

“I was watching TV one evening when I experienced tingling in my arms and hands,” she shared with Newsweek. Assuming it to be carpal tunnel pain, she disregarded it. However, the sensation persisted and intensified, feeling as if her chest was in a vice.

Despite lacking typical heart attack symptoms such as stabbing pain or shortness of breath, Warner felt hot and unexpectedly vomited. At that moment, she recalled Rosie O’Donnell’s discussion on HEPPP.

Rosie O’Donnell, having suffered a heart attack in 2012 at age 50, uses the acronym HEPPP—Hot, Exhausted, Pain, Pale, Puke—to highlight symptoms women often experience during a heart attack. Warner remembered these warnings as she unexpectedly vomited and decided to act.

Awakening her wife Jem, Warner rushed to the hospital where doctors confirmed she was amidst a significant cardiac episode. Undergoing an angioplasty, she subsequently recounted to medical staff how O’Donnell’s acronym helped her recognize her serious condition.

“If Rosie hadn’t shared HEPPP, I might have ignored the warning signs,” Warner admitted, acknowledging the influence of the comedian’s advice.

Common heart attack indicators encompass chest pain potentially radiating to the jaw, back, or arm, alongside symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, and profuse sweating, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

In her stand-up special, “A Heartfelt Stand Up,” Rosie O’Donnell humorously conveyed HEPPP, aiming to raise awareness about how women’s heart attack symptoms differ from men’s. On “The View,” she further elaborated her objective to educate women on heart attack recognition.

Post recovery, Warner reached out to O’Donnell on social media, expressing her gratitude. The comedian responded warmly, expressing pleasure in hearing how her advocacy positively impacted Warner’s life.

Describing O’Donnell as “open, honest, transparent, and kind,” Warner feels grateful and acknowledges being “happy and alive” thanks to the pivotal information shared by the comedian.