Regis Philbin, 86, breaks the silence on his current health situation after years of heart woes

Over a decade after undergoing triple bypass surgery in 2007, Regis Philbin is opening up about his heart health journey.

Regis Philbin is a legend among talk show hosts, mostly due to his 24 seasons hosting the show that would become Live! with Regis and Kelly by the time he left his duties behind, as reported Closer Weekly.

From the moment he first experienced chest pain back in 1992 while working with Kathie Lee Gifford to his current relaxed life after retirement, Philbin has had to make adjustments to his lifestyle that have allowed him to remain healthy throughout the last several decades.

The star and Kathie Lee Gifford started working together in 1988, and their instant chemistry drew in viewers and sent ratings soaring. The pair continued to co-host Live with Regis and Kathie Lee until the latter said goodbye in 2000.

These days, instead of interviewing celebrities, Philbin is tackling something that is a bit closer to his heart. The Emmy-award winning talk show host and his wife, Joy, are now the faces of the Take Cholesterol to Heart campaign.

The impetus for his participation in the new campaign, which launched in Oct. 2017, is his own health issues. Philbin said he was surprised to learn that many high cholesterol-sufferers stop taking their statin; a common drug for lowering cholesterol.

The campaign’s website provides users with information regarding different statins and suggests helpful talking points to take to the doctor. Philbin wants others to realize that just because one statin might not be working, it doesn’t mean another won’t be right for you.

Because of his positive experience, Philbin said he wanted to share his story, and hopefully, encourage others to talk to their doctors about their cholesterol and heart health.

"While there are days I do miss working, it’s been a nice change of pace to focus more on relaxing and spending time with my wife Joy and our kids and grandkids.”

Regis Philbin, AOL, February 2018.