Ray Romano reveals he had heart surgery for 90 percent blockage in artery

Ray Romano recently had heart surgery to insert a stent in one of his main arteries after doctors found a 90 percent obstruction.

I consider myself fortunate that we discovered Raymond Loves Everybody’s “heart attack,” also known as a widow-maker, before the Monday episode of the podcast “Maron Marc with WTF.”

Romano, 65, revealed that he fought against elevated cholesterol levels for two decades but never resorted to medication despite his doctor’s advice.

Ray Romano on a red carpet.
Ray Romano underwent heart surgery after doctors found a 90 percent blockage in a major artery.
FilmMagic
Ray Romano on a red carpet.
“I got kinda lucky that we found [the blockage] before having a heart attack,” he shared.
WireImage

He explained, “Ticks go down a little and get healthier, but I wouldn’t eat vegan — I would eat right, and I would go home and let myself do it, I said, every time.”

The actor admitted that he would start cutting corners and eating food that was not good for him, even though he knew it was the wrong way to begin.

He said, “I started cheating and got down on the cycle that was already cheating. I think I was very hot and decided to go home.”

Ray Romano and Marc Maron in a selfie.
The comedian discussed the health scare on Marc Maron’s podcast.
marcmaron/Twitter

Romano recalled that his doctor was not necessarily telling him that his high cholesterol meant he definitely needed to lower it, but that it was a danger.

He shared that if he could go back 20 years, he would prevent the blockage from happening, adding, “Now, I’m on medication.”

“It’s difficult for me to maintain that dietary regimen,” the comedian admitted.

Ray Romano on stage.
Romano said he had high cholesterol for two decades.
Getty Images for International Myeloma Foundation

However, the medication can only do a limited amount, and Romano still needs to be concerned about his consumption of sugar.

He said, “I’m on the verge of being pre-diabetic.” “Now my blood sugar level has gone up.” “I can now eat some food and enjoy it, as I have managed to lower my cholesterol and I’m taking medication.”

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  • His upcoming film, set in Queens, prompted him to visit his cardiologist following chest discomfort while simultaneously directing and starring in the “Irishman” as he disclosed earlier this month.

    Ray Romano on stage.
    Romano admitted he would have taken medication sooner if he could go back in time.
    Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
    "Everybody Loves Raymond" cast in "The Letter" episode.
    Romano’s former co-star Peter Boyle suffered a heart attack on the set of “Everybody Loves Raymond” in 1999.
    ©CBS/Courtesy Everett Collection

    During that moment, he informed “Entertainment Tonight,” “Because — I’m not kidding — I had to visit my heart specialist in New York and hop on the treadmill to undergo a stress examination due to experiencing chest discomfort.” “I exclaimed, ‘I’m unable to proceed, unable to continue with this,'” he expressed. “I contacted my representative at 1 a.M. As I was unable to sleep.

    In the sitcom CBS, which notably aired in 1999, Peter Boyle, former co-star of Raymond Loves Everybody, had a heart attack on the set after experiencing chest pains.

    Boyle passed away in 2006 at the age of 71 due to multiple myeloma and heart condition.