Modern Family star Julie Bowen has revealed she has had a pacemaker in her heart since the age of 29. The actor, best known for playing Claire Dunphy in the ABC sitcom, spoke in a podcast interview. “I do have a pacemaker… I forget about it all the time,” she admitted.

Julie, now 55 years old, said despite being an avid runner with a reportedly low resting heart rate – her resting heart rate dropped into the 30s, far below the normal 60–100 bpm range for women. She was taken to a hospital where tests diagnosed her with sick sinus syndrome or SSS, specifically hypervagotonia – an increased activity of the vagus nerve, which leads to a variety of symptoms often seen in younger people, especially athletes, and can be triggered by events like pain, urination, or nausea.

After that, a pacemaker implantation was done on her.

While the actor admitted that the initial shock hit hard, as at a young age being fitted with a pacemaker did come with initial difficulties, she has managed to live a healthy life. However, Bowen says with three battery replacements behind her and virtually no lifestyle limitations, she has “completely forgotten” that she has a pacemaker and is preparing to return to screens with her upcoming project, the Happy Gilmore 2 sequel, set to release later this month.

Sick sinus syndrome is the name for heart rhythm problems that happen because your sinus node doesn’t work right. According to doctors, the sinus node acts like a pacemaker that kicks off each heartbeat. Also called the SA node, the sinus node is like a drummer starting and keeping the beat for others to follow. Musicians listen to the drummer so they know when to start and stop. In this case, your SA node is telling the other areas of your heart when it’s time to do their part.

When your SA node isn’t working right, you can have a heartbeat that is too slow.

According to experts, at the start of the condition, most of those with sick sinus syndrome have no symptoms. However, if they do, it includes:

• Frequent fainting
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Heart palpitations
• Exhaustion
• Breathlessness
• Feeling tired and fatigued

Are there any implications of living with a pacemaker at a younger age?

According to doctors, your heart has its own electrical system, which tells the chambers when it is their turn to squeeze. When it malfunctions, your heart’s chambers may squeeze in the wrong order or squeeze too weakly to provide enough blood to your body.

Pacemakers are used for electrical impulses to correct these kinds of malfunctions. Conditions that are treatable with a pacemaker include:

• Certain heart arrhythmias
• Disruptions of your heart’s electrical system, like blockage
• Heart failure
• A history of a heart attack

While pacemakers are usually put into those who may need them at an older age, when fitted in younger people, it comes with some lifestyle changes and adjustments to ensure its proper function and your overall well-being. These include:

• Dietary changes
• Precautions with certain activities and electronic devices
• Regular chec
• Change of batteries

At times, pacemaker procedures tend to have few complications, which you can discuss with your healthcare provider, which may include allergic reactions, blood clots, malfunctions, or even a few unexpected heart rhythm problems.