Natalie Cassidy has given up smoking, because she is terrified of having a heart attack.
The returning 'EastEnders' actress said she is scared of dying young, as heart problems run in her family and her mother tragically died of a heart attack in 2002, while her dad had a triple heart bypass in 1994.
Natalie - who was smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day - said: "I've stopped for around a month and I feel much healthier already. It's something I want to do considering my family history.
"I look at what's happened and think, 'the disease is in my family, I need to do something'.
26-year-old Natalie - who is set to reprise her role of Sonia Fowler in the BBC soap on February 8 - has also previously battled yo-yoing weight and said she was wary of putting on the pounds after she gave up cigarettes, but the results have so far been positive.
She added: "Luckily, so far I haven't put on weight. If I gained another 7lbs or so that's when I'd take some measures, just basic things.
"I certainly don't have a special fitness regime anymore. I've got a more relaxed attitude to my body now."
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