How many heart surgeries did Arnold Schwarzenegger go through? Arnold’s battle with rare genetic condition

Arnold Schwarzenegger takes the age-old saying, ‘Health is Wealth’ very seriously. Despite being 76 years old, ‘The Austrian Oak’ is in peak condition. Apart from working out regularly, Schwarzenegger also engages in multiple different physical activities, including cycling, and other forms of cardio.

However, some things are purely out of your control. Schwarzenegger was born with a genetic heart condition that is considered very rare by medical science experts. For this, Schwarzenegger had to go through three heart surgeries. Earlier, this year, he also had a pacemaker installed to keep his heart healthy.

Born in 1947 in a small village in Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger was born with a bicuspid aortic heart valve. Patients suffering from this condition only possess two flaps in their aorta instead of three. The aorta, which is the valve present in the human heart responsible for controlling blood flow, can start leaking or narrowing down in patients born with a bicuspid aortic heart valve. (BAV)

While many people still believe that his heart condition is prevailing due to years of PED usage. Schwarzenegger has always been open about the genetic condition that he inherited from his mother.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first open-heart procedure

Back in 1997, Arnold Schwarzenegger had to go through a hectic operation to replace his defective, congenital aortic heart valve. ‘The Terminator’ was supposed to make a tough decision. The team of doctors who were taking care of him revealed that the success rate of the surgery was only 60 percent. However, Schwarzenegger being Schwarzenegger was willing to take that risk.

In his book ‘Total Recall: My unbelievably true life story,’ he revealed:

“The particular procedure he recommended worked only six times out of ten. “I want you to understand that in sixty percent to seventy percent of cases the surgery works, but in thirty percent to forty percent of the cases, the replacement valve fails.”

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Arnold Schwarzenegger went through two more heart surgeries

The surgery ultimately reaped benefits. The procedure typically lasts 12-15 years. ‘The Governator’ had to go through another operation 21 years later in 2018.

During his second open-heart surgery, the doctors had to replace one of the two valves that were installed previously in 1997. The misery, however, wasn't over. Two years later, Arnold Schwarzenegger had to get the second valve replaced again.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger got a pacemaker installed this year

A few months back, Arnold Schwarzenegger updated his fans about his heart condition. Via his daily newsletter ‘Arnold’s Pump Club’ as well as through an Instagram post, Schwarzenegger revealed getting a pacemaker installed for his heart. The news came just weeks before the announcement of Fubar S02.

In his Instagram post, he shared a picture with ‘the ticking timebomb’ and assured fans that this pacemaker installation wouldn't hamper the shoot of Fubar. He wrote:

“Thank you! I've gotten so many kind messages from all over the world, but a lot of people have asked if my pacemaker will cause any problems with FUBAR Season 2. Absolutely not. I will be ready to film in April, and you can only see it if you're really looking for it.”

Despite his genetic heart condition, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not the one who gives up easily. He continues to fight despite his declining heart health and will entertain us with the next season of Fubar.

What are your thoughts on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tale of resilience? Let us know in the comments.