Hailey Bieber shares how mini stroke changed her perspective on health and wellness

Hailey Bieber has opened up about how a health scare involving a mini stroke and heart surgery has changed the way she approaches her well-being.

The 29-year-old model and entrepreneur, who shares 17-month-old son Jack Blues with husband Justin Bieber, spoke candidly during the February 18 episode of Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast. 

“I just am so fascinated with the body and medicine and doctors,” she said. “And I love it.”

Bieber recalled the medical situation that reshaped her perspective. “A couple of years ago, I had a crazy medical situation. I had a mini stroke,” she explained.

“Then I found that I had this heart defect that I was born with, so I had to get surgery for it, which sounds really crazy, but they went through my groin and I was in and out of the hospital the same day.”

Following the procedure, Bieber says she became more vigilant about her health. “That situation made me a little bit extra hyper-aware of my body and a little bit more nervous about things and staying on top of them,” she admitted. “But I’ve just always been really focused and fascinated on health.”

She added that her experiences with medicine and the body partly inspired her beauty company, Rhode. 

“It was also kind of what led me to want to [start Rhode]. My obsession with skincare also comes from my obsession with medicine.”

Bieber had been hospitalized in March 2022 for the mini stroke and underwent a patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure procedure in April 2022 to fix a hole in her heart. She described the surgery as going “very smoothly.”

Reflecting on her personal life, Bieber shared via Instagram in April 2023 that the past year had brought some of the most challenging moments of her adulthood. 

“I like to make jokes about how I feel because sometimes it’s easier than admitting I’m having a hard time,” she wrote. “But truthfully since 2023 started I have had some of the saddest, hardest moments I’ve ever had in my adult life and my mind and emotions have been fragile to say the least.”

She encouraged her followers to support one another: “Let’s just be there for people… let’s keep showing up for each other even when it’s hard. We’re better together.”

Hailey’s husband, Justin Bieber, also faced a significant health setback in 2022 when he took a break from touring after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused partial facial paralysis. 

At the time, he assured fans on Instagram that he was following medical advice, doing facial exercises, and focusing on rest. 

A source told Us Weekly that Justin was “working with a top team of specialists” and “has every faith this will resolve itself eventually,” though it was a stressful period for both him and Hailey.