Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals recent pacemaker surgery due to genetic heart condition.

Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals recent pacemaker surgery , the Terminator star said he underwent surgery last Monday.

He said he was disclosing the news to inspire listeners to check in with their doctors. 

"I know a lot of you are probably dealing with your own health challenges and I want you to know you aren't alone," he says. 

"If you're putting something off out of fear,  I hope I inspire you to listen to your doctors and take care of yourself." 

Arnie said he got the device after doctors found scar tissue from previous surgeries due to a genetic heart condition called bicuspid aortic valve.

What is a bicuspid aortic valve anyway ?

Known for his physical prowess, it may be a surprise to hear Schwarzenegger was born with a genetic heart condition called bicuspid aortic valve.

The abnormality in the aortic valve in the heart means the valve has only two small parts, called leaflets, instead of the normal three, according to John Hopkins.

The research university says over time the abnormal valve can become harder to open, or can become leakier meaning the normal flow of blood to the body is interrupted. 

The defect tends to run in families.

Schwarzenegger disclosed on the podcast both his mother and grandmother had the condition.

"My mother and her mother's  bicuspid valves killed them," he says. 

He goes on to add his mother, who died in 1998, had refused to get a valve replacement surgery. 

Valve replacement surgery is the "only certain treatment" for a bicuspid aortic valve, John Hopkins says. 

Has Arnie had previous heart surgeries? 

The star has had three heart surgeries, in 1997, 2018 and 2020. 

His 1997 open-heart operation replaced two valves.

Tissue replacement valves can generally last around 15 years.

In 2018, his replacement was due to be non-invasive but Schwarzenegger says there was a "screw-up" which led to another open-heart surgery replacing one valve. 

During that surgery, Schwarzenegger previously said unexpected internal bleeding led doctors to "open me up very quickly to save my life."

"I was really freaking out," Schwarzenegger recalled in a YouTube video about the surgery.

"I woke up and all of a sudden the doctors were in front of me saying, 'I'm so sorry but it was unlike what we planned.'

"[They said] 'We made a mistake and poked through the heart wall,' and had to open me up very quickly."

The star attributed a "positive attitude" and a good support system to getting him back to gym training for Terminator: Dark Fate which started filming three months later. 

In 2020, Schwarzenegger underwent a successful non-invasive surgery to have his other valve replaced. 

He says scar tissue from these operations, which caused an irregular heartbeat, is what prompted doctors to install the pacemaker.

"With all of those surgeries, my doctors told me it was more important than ever to stay on top of the situation," he says on the podcast. 

Schwarzenegger says he visited doctors annually, and shared heart rate information from home. 

"That's life with a genetic heart issue but you won't hear me complaining," he adds. 

What is a pacemaker? 

A pacemaker is a small device which helps maintain a healthy heart beat using electrical impulses.

It sits under the skin on the left or right side of your chest and sends electrical signals to your heart to help it to beat at a normal rate, St Vincent's Health Australia says. 

Doctors may commonly recommend a pacemaker if your heartbeat becomes too fast, too slow or irregular.

This may be for a number of reasons, including a previous heart attack / heart problem, viral infections of the heart or cardiac surgery. 

Recovery from a pacemaker installation is typically quick, and most return to their normal routine within a few days, John Hopkins adds. 

How's Schwarzenegger recovering? 

Fortunately, Schwarzenegger says he's "doing great" post-surgery.

He says he's able to attend an environmental activism event by Friday.

"Nobody would ever have thought I started the week with a surgery," he says. 

He adds filming for the second season of his Netflix show FUBAR will continue as planned. 

"I can't do my serious training in the gym for a while but I will be 100% ready for FUBAR next month," he says. 

Original Story By | Tessa Flemming