TV personality Alex Trebek only sought treatment after suffering a mild heart attack on Saturday when his wife broke down in tears during his health scare.

The Jeopardy! quiz show host, 71, had been carrying out house chores when he felt "a squeezing, tight pain," and reveals it was his partner Jean who convinced him to seek medical help.

Doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles told him he had suffered a heart attack and he was kept under observation until his release on Wednesday.

Trebek admits he is glad he took his wife's advice, telling People.com, "I had been doing some work around the house working with a heavy ladder. I just thought it was muscle strain. (Jean) was very adamant (I seek treatment) and had tears in her eyes. I didn't want to upset her more than I had already so I went - and she was right."

"My body cleared the blockage itself. My heart seems to heal, so that speaks well for my future. Maybe I'll take a little better care of myself, but I wouldn't count on it."