Julie Bowen Reveals She’s Lived with a Pacemaker Since Age 29 After Sister Detected Heart Condition

Actress Julie Bowen recently shared a surprising detail about her health during an episode of the Inside of You podcast with Michael Rosenbaum. The Modern Family star revealed she received a pacemaker at just 29 years old due to a heart condition known as sick sinus syndrome. This condition disrupts the heart’s rhythm, often resulting in slow or irregular heartbeats. Now 55, Bowen explained that her heart rate had become dangerously low before receiving the life-saving device.

Sister’s Timely Intervention Uncovered Serious Heart Issue, Leading to Life-Saving Pacemaker Surgery

Bowen’s health issue came to light thanks to her sister, Annie Luetkemeyer, who had just completed medical school at the time. While on vacation, Annie used her stethoscope to listen to Bowen’s heart and noticed irregularities that were more serious than a typical “runner’s heart,” a condition athletes often have. Despite Bowen’s insistence that she felt fine, her sister urged her to see a cardiologist immediately. This led to a diagnosis that confirmed she needed a pacemaker to regulate her heart rate.

Before receiving the pacemaker, Bowen’s resting heart rate had dropped into the 30s—far below the normal range of 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults. She recalled feeling lightheaded when relaxed and was warned that she could eventually pass out, potentially while driving. Realizing the danger, she agreed to the procedure shortly after filming the pilot episode for Ed, a television show that premiered in 2000. She described feeling fearful and overwhelmed at the time, worried that her life would be forever changed.

A Life-Saving Device That Became a Quiet, Constant Companion in Julie Bowen’s Life

Bowen underwent pacemaker surgery through an incision in her armpit, a less invasive approach than some traditional methods. Since then, she has had to replace the device’s batteries about three times. Despite the initial shock, she noted that the device has become such a normal part of her life that she often forgets she even has it. The pacemaker ensures her heart rate never drops below 45 beats per minute, providing both safety and peace of mind.

Now decades into living with the device, Bowen reflects on her experience with perspective and even humor. She credited her sister for her persistence and likely saving her life. What started as a routine vacation turned into a life-altering discovery, one that taught Bowen to take health warnings seriously—even when symptoms seem minimal. Her story sheds light on the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in heart conditions that often go unnoticed.