Kevin Smith Opens Up About Massive Heart Attack

The director just got real about his near-death experience.

During a Facebook Live on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, Kevin Smith described what he felt while having a massive heart attack the previous Sunday and how hospital staff had saved his life. Recording from his hospital room, Smith, dressed in a robe, explained that he had no idea that he'd had a heart attack until medical professionals revealed it to him. He said that he'd mostly just felt nauseous while backstage during filming for his stand-up special, Kevin Smith Live!

"I was honestly under the impression that I had gotten some f**king bad milk," he recalled.

Smith said that he had thrown up and had started started experiencing trouble taking deep breaths. Eventually, he asked his team to help him see a doctor, but, as it was a Sunday night, no doctors were available to see him. So, instead, an ambulance was called and paramedics examined him, ultimately determining that he needed to go to the hospital.

Once there, staff at Glendale Adventist Medical Center told Smith that he'd had a massive heart attack and that his LAD had been completely blocked — and that he needed surgery immediately. As the operation required doctors to go up through his groin and into his heart, a hospital employee was brought in to shave Smith's groin area, which apparently concerned Smith way more than his impending surgery did.

"My biggest fear in life: death—number one. Number two: people seeing my d**k," Smith revealed to fans. Eventually, however, Smith made it into surgery, which saved his life.

Reacting to the outpouring of love he received online from fans around the world following his trip to the hospital, Smith said, "It was kind of like reading your eulogy. I saw what life will be like when I die ... what the reaction would be if I died." Surprised at how nice the messages were, Smith stated that it was "very, very sweet."

Smith also noted that, as a result of his heart attack, he'll be making some changes in his life. Not only will he have to start taking regular prescriptions but Smith, who lost 85 pounds in 2015, will also have to visit a cardiologist.

As Nicki Swift previously reported, Smith revealed on Twitter on Feb. 26 that he'd suffered a heart attack the previous night. Reacting to his brush with death, he said that he "faced my greatest fear tonight... and it wasn't as bad as I've always imagined it'd be." Noting how calm he'd been during his health scare, Smith remembered thinking, "I don't want my life to end but if it ends, I can't complain."

We're glad you're okay, Kevin. Wishing you a speedy recovery!