The 'Terminator' actor opens up on his health issue, revealing that he had three open heart surgeries and recently went under the knife again to have pacemaker fitted.
- March 26, 2024
AceShowbiz - Legendary actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed that he underwent surgery last Monday, March 18, to receive a pacemaker. The 76-year-old made the announcement on his podcast, "Arnold's Pump Club", and shared details of his ongoing heart health journey.
Schwarzenegger explained that he had experienced an irregular heartbeat for several years due to scar tissue from a previous heart surgery. After consulting with his medical team, he decided to proceed with the pacemaker installation, which he referred to as getting a "machine part" like his Terminator character.
The former California Governor had previously undergone three open heart surgeries, including elective surgery in 1997 to replace a defective aortic heart valve, and a valve replacement in 2020 at the Cleveland Clinic. In 2018, he had a pulmonary valve inserted in Los Angeles.
Schwarzenegger admitted that his irregular heartbeat had "worn him out" and made it difficult to handle the long days at the Arnold Sports Festival. However, he emphasized that he is not complaining and is grateful for the medical advancements that have kept him alive.
He credits his mother and grandmother's bicuspid aortic valves for their untimely deaths, but stressed that he is alive today because of medical innovation and his diligence in staying in touch with his doctors.
Schwarzenegger reassured his fans that he is recovering well and thanked his team at the Cleveland Clinic for their exceptional care. While he will have to take a break from his intense gym workouts for a while, he remains confident that he will be ready to film season two of his upcoming series "FUBAR" next month.
Schwarzenegger's decision to share his health struggles is motivated by a desire to help others. He believes that talking openly about medical issues can encourage people who are facing similar challenges to seek the necessary care.
He emphasized that it is important to prioritize one's health and to listen to the advice of medical professionals. "This village is a place for us to be open and honest because it's impossible to be truly positive when you keep everything bottled up," Schwarzenegger said.
"That's what Arnold's Pump Club is all about. There are weights that none of us can lift alone. But together, we can lift anything - we can lift up the world. You are never alone here."
