Angela Bassett took her health 'for granted' during her younger years

Angela Bassett took her health "for granted" during her younger years.

The 67-year-old actress has admitted to having a casual attitude towards her health "as a young person".

She told People: "It's something you, as a young person, take for granted. You know, you're invincible, you do anything. Eat what you like, sleep as little as you like, enjoy it all. And as you mature, you back up off that a little bit."

Health issues in Angela's family - including her late mother’s complications from heart disease - prompted a change in attitude.

The Hollywood star explained: "I've seen up close the impact that poor health can have.

"I’ve spoken about my loved ones and the challenges that they faced in terms of managing and battling serious life-threatening medical issues."

And Angela's starring role in 9-1-1, the TV drama series, has also encouraged the actress to take her health more seriously.

Angela - who plays Police Sergeant Athena Grant on the show - said: "In playing this character, a lot of the stories that are coming up, it’s like art imitating life. Sometimes I joke and say, 'Do you have a camera in my home? You know, are you peering into my life?' There’s a few similarities here and there."