For many, Christine McGuinness is known for her glamour, TV appearances, and her honesty about life as a mum-of-three.
But behind the scenes, the 37-year-old model has been quietly managing a health challenge that recently came to light — one that has left her feeling both overwhelmed and frightened.
Christine has revealed that she has been diagnosed with Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition that affects blood circulation and often impacts the hands and feet.
While it isn’t life-threatening, it can still be deeply disruptive, especially for someone juggling work, parenting, and personal pressures.
Living With Raynaud’s
Christine explained that the first signs appeared in her hands, which would sometimes seize up.
Stress, she admitted, plays a huge part in triggering the symptoms. “When I get stressed, my fingers go white, numb and just stop working,” she said.
The condition, which affects an estimated 10 to 15 percent of people in the UK, causes reduced blood flow to extremities.
In her case, the problem is worsened by underlying stress, anxiety, and even symptoms linked to PTSD.
Christine described how an attack can suddenly halt her day:
“Sometimes I have no choice but to stop what I’m doing until my hands recover, which can be so hard when I’m balancing work and family life.”
The Emotional Toll
Friends say the diagnosis has left Christine shaken. According to insiders, she is a natural overthinker, so her health scare sent her straight to worst-case scenarios before doctors confirmed it was Raynaud’s.
Although she has been reassured it isn’t dangerous in her case, Christine admitted she still feels embarrassed and even guilty when her hands give way.
“It makes me feel like I’ve let myself down,” she shared.
How Stress Plays a Role
Unlike most people with Raynaud’s, who usually experience symptoms in cold weather, Christine’s condition is stress-induced.
Doctors explained that her long-term struggles with stress and panic disorder have likely contributed to the flare-ups.
She admitted the diagnosis was a shock:
“I’d only ever heard of Raynaud’s in people who struggled with the cold. I didn’t realise how much stress could affect my body.”
For Christine, it felt like her nervous system had finally reached breaking point.
“It was as if all the strain I’d been carrying spilled into something I couldn’t ignore,” she explained.
A Wake-Up Call
Despite the challenges, Christine sees her diagnosis as a chance to slow down and put her wellbeing first.
She describes it as “a wake-up call to take better care of myself.”
And while it’s not always easy, she’s determined to stay motivated and manage her health while raising her three children — twins Leo and Penelope, 12, and Felicity, nine.
Family and Personal Life
Christine married comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness in 2011, but the couple split in 2022 after 15 years together.
She recently revealed that she was the one who ended the marriage after trust in the relationship was broken.
Speaking candidly on Celebs Go Dating, she admitted:
“It was me that said enough is enough. We had an amazing 15 years, but once the respect isn’t there anymore, it’s time to leave.”
Even so, Christine has said she still carries feelings of responsibility for ending the relationship.
What Exactly Is Raynaud’s?
Raynaud’s is a condition that causes blood vessels in the fingers and toes to temporarily narrow, reducing blood supply.
This leads to numbness, colour changes in the skin (white, blue, then red), and sometimes pain or burning sensations.
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It’s often triggered by cold weather or stress.
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Nine out of ten cases occur in women.
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Attacks usually last from a few minutes to an hour.
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In rare cases, it can be linked to more serious illnesses like scleroderma.
Treatments range from simply keeping warm to medications like nifedipine, which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Looking Ahead
Christine is still adjusting to life with Raynaud’s, but her openness has already struck a chord with fans who live with similar conditions.
While the health scare left her feeling scared at first, she’s choosing to see it as a reason to prioritise herself after years of putting everything and everyone else first.
“It’s not easy,” she admitted, “but it’s teaching me that my health deserves attention too.”