Rosie O'Donnell Cites Heart Attack, Stress As Reasons For Leaving 'The View'

Last week, Rosie O'Donnell announced she would be leaving ABC's "The View" after just five months with the show. The decision marked her second departure from the program, having quit once before in 2007.

Though O'Donnell said her exit was motivated by a recent divorce and a desire to spend more time with her family, Variety reported that mounting tension between her and co-host Whoopi Goldberg was also a contributing factor.

Monday, however, O'Donnell took to her YouTube channel to speak directly to her fans about her decision.

"The truth is I had a heart attack two years ago and stress is very bad for heart attack survivors,” O’Donnell said, adding that it was her choice to not discuss her departure on air earlier that day. “You should minimize your stress, maximize your exercise and control your diet."

"That's what you need to do for a healthy heart," she continued. "So that's what I'm doing, I'm minimizing my stress by leaving 'The View.'”

H/T TheWrap