Just like The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger just got an upgrade in his hardware. In a recent Arnold’s Pump Club Newsletter, the bodybuilding legend revealed he underwent heart surgery and now has a pacemaker.
“I want to thank my whole team at the Cleveland Clinic. All of the doctors and nurses took amazing care of me and made the surgery as painless as possible.”
As a bodybuilding phenom, Arnold Schwarzenegger demanded the world’s attention with one of the best-built physiques of our generation. He amassed a total of seven Mr. Olympia titles in addition to countless other accolades. But when he was done with his posing trunks, Arnold didn’t stop there. He expanded his footprint into acting and government, further solidifying his legendary status.
At 76 years old, Schwarzenegger has dealt with his fair share of health issues. He endured multiple open heart surgeries but has always come out the other side healthier and stronger than before. Now, having grappled with heart problems for over a decade, Schwarzenegger’s story of health and triumph serves as an inspiration to his millions of followers.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Gives Update After Receiving Pacemaker During Heart Surgery
Last Monday (March 18, 2024), Schwarzenegger revealed that he underwent surgery to receive his pacemaker. He discussed the ordeal and revealed how times have changed since he lived in Austria, where health conditions were often kept private to the public.
“Last Monday, I had surgery to become a little bit more of a machine: I got a pacemaker.
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I have to tell you, just saying this to all of you goes against so much of my upbringing in Austria, where nobody — ever — talked about medical issues. Everything related to healthcare was kept to yourself.
But I’ve gotten so many messages and emails from people who were born with a bicuspid aortic valve, like me, telling me that talking about my valve replacement surgeries has given them courage and hope to deal with their own.
Since the operation, Schwarzenegger reported that he is feeling great and already attended a big environmental event with fitness crusader Jane Fonda.
“So, since I know that going against my secretive instinct and being transparent helps people, what choice do I have?
First of all, I want you to know I’m doing great!
I had my surgery on Monday, and by Friday, I was already at a big environmental event with my friend and fellow fitness crusader Jane Fonda. By the way, when we talk about exercise being the only magic pill to slow down aging, look at Jane. She’s ten years older than me, turning 87 this year!
According to Schwarzenegger, medical professionals informed him that it was time to have a pacemaker installed because scar tissue from a previous surgery made his heartbeat irregular.
“They also advised me that it was time to go through with this because some scar tissue from my previous surgery had made my heartbeat irregular. It had been like that for a few years, so I stayed in touch with my medical team and visited in person at least once a year to get a full checkup and see how my heart was doing.
That’s life with a genetic heart issue.But you won’t hear me complaining. My mother and her mother’s bicuspid valves killed them. I’m still here because of medical innovation and being very diligent about staying in touch with my doctors and listening to them.”
He also relived his valve replacement surgeries, and despite suffering from a doctor’s mistake, made a full recovery with hard work, exercise, and proper nutrition.
“My mom refused to have the valve replacement surgery. But back then, the only option was open-heart. Today, they’re replacing valves with non-invasive procedures where you can go home the same day.”
I had my valves replaced for the first time in 1997, which required open-heart surgery. They told me both valves would last 12 to 15 years. Dr. Starnes did a wonderful job, and they made it 21 years, so by the time I went in for replacement in 2018, the non-invasive option was available.
Of course, you know that there was a little screwup at the hospital in Los Angeles, and my non-invasive surgery became open-heart. I told that story and shared footage here in this newsletter.
They only replaced one of the two valves, so I headed to the Cleveland Clinic in 2020 and did the other one. This time, the non-invasive Transcatheter valve replacement worked!”
Thankfully for his team, who regularly monitors Schwarzenegger’s cardiovascular health, they were able to get him into surgery to receive the much-needed pacemaker.
“But with all of those surgeries, my doctors told me it was more important than ever to stay on top of the situation, and I checked in all of the time, sharing heart rate information from home. We knew the heartbeat was irregular, and my fantastic team watched it like a hawk.”
The operation, which took place shortly after he hosted the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK events, was a success, and admits the recovery has been quick with his energy levels returning to their normal states.
“They told me they would let me know when it was time for a pacemaker. I went in for my normal checkup at the beginning of March on my way to the Arnold Sports Festival, and they did a full series of tests. When I got home to LA, like it was fate, I was talking to one of my best friends.
They told me that they had a pacemaker implanted, it was a quick recovery, and their energy levels were back to what they were used to.”
Despite struggling to host these massive bodybuilding events, Schwarzenegger never let his health condition take the shine away from athletes on stage.
“That’s one thing you learn about an irregular heartbeat: all that extra work your heart does wears you out. Man, if I can be honest with you, I struggled with those 16-hour days at the Arnold Sports Festival US at the beginning of March and in the UK last week, visiting as many sports as possible and walking through those crowds of hundreds of thousands of fitness fanatics.
The same day I talked to my friend, one of my doctors called to tell me that after looking at all of my results and data and knowing I had six weeks until it was time to film FUBAR Season 2, it was time to go for it. The doctors told me they want many more seasons of FUBAR, and this was the best way!”
While he could have kept his recent operation under wraps, Schwarzenegger thought it was best to inform the community to spread positivity and inspiration.
“I told them I’d stop in Cleveland on my way home from the UK, and we’d do it.
Monday, I went under and got my new machine part installed.
Like I said, by Friday, I was out doing my normal environmental work, and nobody knew anything. I can’t do my serious training in the gym for a while, but I will be 100% ready for FUBAR next month!
I could have kept it a secret. But I know that we have more than 750,000 subscribers now (775,000 to be exact — the village is a city now!), and a lot of you are probably dealing with your own health challenges.”
He hopes anyone watching his story will learn from him and take proper care of their health.
“I want you to know you aren’t alone.
And if you’re putting something off out of fear, I hope I inspire you to listen to your doctors and take care of yourself.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to prioritize his health in retirement even though he is at the mercy of an extremely busy schedule. From workout and nutrition tips to experiences with surgeries, the bodybuilding legend’s journey has been amazing to follow — and it’s not over yet.
Arnold Schwarzenegger received a pacemaker but assured fans his heart health is back on track. Given his love for the gym, we expect to see Schwarzenegger pumping iron sooner rather than later.
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