Sofia Vergara showed up to the TODAY Show in a way only she could. The 53-year-old actress joined Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin on the Third Hour on Tuesday, February 23, the day after New York City experienced its first blizzard in nine years. Despite the travel chaos that grounded hundreds of flights, Sofia managed to get to the city just in time.
"I was a little worried that I was not going to make it with the snow," Sofia told the co-anchors. Dylan responded: "I know, did you pack for winter weather?"
The actress, who was traveling from Miami, laughed, looked down at her strapless grey top and matching gray pants, saying "Obviously not!" Dylan, Al, and Craig – all of whom wore long sleeves – broke out into laughs.
© TODAYAl joked to the camera: "That's an extended forecast." But, Sofia made it to New York City regardless of what she brought with her. The Modern Family actress appeared on the Third Hour to discuss the importance of American Heart Month.
Why is Sofia Vergara partnering up with Octavia Spencer?
Sofia and fellow actress Octavia Spencer are on a mission to spread the news of a test that can help uncover hidden risks for events like heart attack or stroke. Octavia, who appeared earlier on TODAY, has type 2 diabetes, while Sofia's mother suffers from high blood pressure.
© Getty Images"I have a very important message that I didn't want to miss," Sofia explained. "My mother has [high blood pressure], the Latin community [experiences a lot of high blood pressure]." She continued: "[Octavia] and I want to tell people about a very easy screening called an 'uACR urine test."
The uACR (Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio) test is a critical diagnostic tool that measures the amount of protein in the urine. According to medical experts, a high protein level is one of the earliest signs of kidney damage, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Sovia and Octavia are paid spokespeople for Boehringer Ingelheim, a medical research company. The partnership is part of the "Power of Knowing" campaign, which encourages high-risk individuals to proactively ask their doctors for this specific lab work.
© Getty Images"I took a uACR urine test to find out where I stand," Octavia told the organization. "If you're living with either of these conditions [high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes], you should, too."
Who is Sofia Vergara's mom?
Per the CDC, more than 30 million Hispanics and Latinos have high blood pressure. Health data shows that Latinos are often at higher risk for the complications of hypertension due to systemic barriers to healthcare. Of course, the issue is very close to Sofia's heart beyond the fact that it impacts millions in the Latino community. Her mom, Margarita Vergara de Vergara, has hypertension and lives with Sofia.
"My mother has been struggling with high blood pressure," the actress told Al, Craig, and Dylan. "I make her get the test every year."
Sofia is her mom's primary caregiver, a role that has given her many lessons. "It's a nightmare," she joked. "When [moms] get older, they get a little bit stubborn [and] high blood pressure doesn't show a lot of symptoms, [so] it's hard."
© InstagramSofia's night out in Miami
Just before arriving in snowy New York City, Sofia stepped out in a revealing red, corseted midi dress to Papi Steak in Miami. Per Page Six, the actress and her mom were seen dancing to Bad Bunny.
Sofia shared moments from her night out to Instagram, writing partially in Spanish: "Miami nights with my family. Pure reggaeton." The contrast between her glamorous night in Miami and her advocacy in the NYC snow shows just how important heart health is to Sofia.
