Jordan Ellis
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California, Hollywood superstar, and bodybuilding champion, has had a series of heart surgeries, some dating back to the 1990s. In 2024, the 76-year-old actor underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker, marking the latest in a string of cardiac procedures. Schwarzenegger has been open about his health issues, assuring fans he is doing well and even sharing a health update on social media. But is he still in the hospital following his recent procedure?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the news | March 28, 2024 |
| Reason for hospitalisation | To get a pacemaker implanted to help manage irregular heartbeat |
| Previous hospitalisations | Yes |
| Previous surgeries | Yes, multiple open-heart surgeries, some dating back to the 1990s |
| Current health status | Good |
| Current activity status | Back on his feet |
| Future plans | Ready to film the second season of Fubar in April 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
Arnold Schwarzenegger's congenital heart defect
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California, Hollywood superstar, and bodybuilding champion, has lived his whole life with a congenital heart defect known as a bicuspid aortic valve. The aortic valve in the heart of a healthy individual has three valves or leaflets, but people with this condition only have two leaflets. Schwarzenegger's mother and grandmother had the same condition, which ultimately led to their deaths.
In 1997, Schwarzenegger underwent heart surgery to replace the defective valve. He opted against a mechanical valve replacement and chose a tissue valve because he felt a mechanical valve might limit his physical activity and capacity to exercise. The tissue valve was intended to last 12-15 years, but due to the quality of the surgery, it lasted more than twenty.
In 2018, Schwarzenegger underwent a second heart surgery to replace the pulmonary valve. This procedure was performed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. It was anticipated that a minimally invasive, transcatheter device would be used, but ultimately a surgical valve was used during an open-heart procedure.
In 2020, Schwarzenegger underwent a third heart valve procedure, a re-replacement of his aortic valve replacement. This surgery was performed at the Cleveland Clinic. Schwarzenegger has been open about his health struggles and has encouraged his fans to speak openly with their doctors about their health.
In addition to his heart surgeries, Schwarzenegger has also had several other hospitalisations throughout his life. In 2001, he broke six ribs in a motorcycle crash and was hospitalised for four days. In 2006, he broke his right femur while skiing and underwent a 90-minute operation to wire the broken bone back together. Schwarzenegger has also been involved in a few other minor accidents, including a multi-vehicle collision in 2022, from which he escaped uninjured.
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The actor's multiple open-heart surgeries
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California and Hollywood superstar, has had multiple open-heart surgeries, some dating back to the 1990s. Schwarzenegger was born with a congenital heart defect known as a bicuspid aortic valve, a condition where the aortic valve in the heart only has two leaflets instead of the normal three.
In 1997, Schwarzenegger underwent his first open-heart surgery, a procedure known as the Ross Procedure, where his aortic valve was removed, his pulmonary valve was switched to the aortic position, and a human donor valve was inserted into the pulmonary valve position. This surgery was performed due to his bicuspid aortic valve and was intended to last 12-15 years. However, due to the quality of the surgery, the valves lasted over twenty years.
In March 2018, Schwarzenegger underwent a second open-heart surgery, a pulmonary valve replacement procedure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. This surgery was required because the 1997 heart valve replacement was never meant to be permanent. The procedure was initially planned to be minimally invasive, but due to complications, it was converted to an open-heart surgery.
On October 23, 2020, Schwarzenegger had his third open-heart surgery, a re-replacement of his aortic valve, at the Cleveland Clinic. It is unclear whether he received the new valve through a surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This surgery was performed 23 years after his initial procedure.
Following his multiple open-heart surgeries, Schwarzenegger experienced irregular heartbeats due to scar tissue from the previous surgeries affecting the electrical signals in his heart. As a result, he underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker, a small battery-powered device that helps control the rhythm of the heart by delivering tiny electrical impulses. Schwarzenegger has shared that he is in good health following the procedure and is encouraging his fans to be proactive about their health and speak openly with their doctors.
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Schwarzenegger's aortic valve replacement in 1997
Arnold Schwarzenegger is not currently in the hospital. However, the actor and former governor of California has been in and out of the hospital several times due to health issues. Notably, Schwarzenegger has undergone multiple heart surgeries, with the first one taking place in 1997.
Schwarzenegger was born with a congenital heart defect known as a bicuspid aortic valve, a condition where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of the normal three. This defect can lead to a condition called aortic stenosis, which causes the heart to work harder to pump blood through the aortic valve. As a result, Schwarzenegger underwent aortic valve replacement surgery, also known as a Ross Procedure, in 1997. During this procedure, the aortic valve is removed, and the patient's pulmonary valve is switched to the aortic position. Then, a donor valve is inserted into the pulmonary valve position. Schwarzenegger opted for a tissue valve instead of a mechanical one as he felt the latter might limit his physical activity and capacity to exercise.
The 1997 surgery was performed by Dr. Starnes, who led a team of three surgeons. Following the procedure, Dr. Starnes assured the public that the surgery would not limit Schwarzenegger in any way once he recovered. Indeed, the actor's spokesman, Daniel Ketchell, confirmed that Schwarzenegger's "pulmonic valve was successfully replaced." The procedure was intended to last 12-15 years, but due to the quality of the surgery, it lasted over twenty.
Despite the successful surgery, Schwarzenegger has since required additional heart surgeries. In 2018, he underwent a second heart surgery, which is not uncommon for heart valve surgery patients. Then, in 2020, Schwarzenegger had a third heart valve procedure, a re-replacement of his aortic valve. This procedure was performed at the Cleveland Clinic, and it is unclear whether it was done through surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
In addition to his heart surgeries, Schwarzenegger has also experienced other health issues that required hospitalization. For instance, in 2001, he broke six ribs in a motorcycle crash and was hospitalized for four days. In 2006, he broke his right femur while skiing and underwent a 90-minute operation. More recently, in 2024, Schwarzenegger received a pacemaker after three open-heart surgeries, including the ones in 1997 and 2018. The pacemaker was implanted to help manage his irregular heartbeat caused by scarring from the previous surgeries.
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The 2024 pacemaker surgery and recovery
Arnold Schwarzenegger underwent surgery for a pacemaker implant in March 2024. The 76-year-old actor and former governor of California had the procedure at the Cleveland Clinic. Schwarzenegger has been open about his health issues, using his platform to encourage others to speak with their doctors and take care of their health.
The Surgery
The pacemaker surgery was necessary due to the presence of scar tissue from Schwarzenegger's previous open-heart surgeries, which affected his heart rhythm. The procedure was performed to regulate his irregular heartbeat and improve his quality of life. Schwarzenegger's medical team had been monitoring his heart rate and keeping a close eye on his condition.
Recovery and Return to Work
Schwarzenegger experienced a quick recovery following the surgery. Within the same week, he resumed his normal work schedule and attended an environmental event with his friend, Jane Fonda. He reported feeling better than ever, with his energy levels returning to normal. Schwarzenegger also shared that he would be ready to film for his Netflix show, "Fubar," the following month.
Schwarzenegger's Health Journey
The pacemaker implant was the latest in a series of heart-related procedures for Schwarzenegger, who has lived with a congenital heart defect called a bicuspid aortic valve since birth. This condition involves having only two leaflets in the aortic valve instead of the usual three. He underwent aortic valve replacement surgery in 1997 and again in 2018, with a third heart valve procedure in 2020. Schwarzenegger has been diligent about his health, regularly consulting with doctors and prioritising his well-being.
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Other hospitalisations and health scares
Arnold Schwarzenegger has had several health scares and hospitalisations throughout his life. The former bodybuilder and actor has had multiple heart surgeries, the first of which was in 1997, when he underwent aortic valve replacement surgery. Schwarzenegger has a congenital heart defect known as a bicuspid aortic valve, which means he only has two leaflets in his aortic valve instead of the usual three.
In 2001, Schwarzenegger was involved in a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles and broke six ribs, requiring a four-day hospital stay. In 2004, he saved a drowning man while on vacation in Hawaii. However, his own life was in danger in 2006 when, while riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle with his son in the sidecar, he collided with a car. Although his son was unharmed, Schwarzenegger sustained an injury to his lip that needed 15 stitches. Later that year, he broke his right femur while skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho, and underwent a 90-minute operation to wire the broken bone back together.
In 2018, Schwarzenegger underwent his second heart surgery, a pulmonary valve replacement procedure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. This surgery was due to the fact that the 1997 heart valve replacement was never intended to be permanent. Unfortunately, during this procedure, doctors made a mistake and poked a hole in Schwarzenegger's heart, requiring immediate open-heart surgery to stop internal bleeding and save his life.
In 2020, Schwarzenegger underwent his third heart valve procedure, a re-replacement of his aortic valve, at the Cleveland Clinic. He has since had a pacemaker implanted to manage his irregular heartbeat, which may have been caused by scar tissue from his previous surgeries.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Arnold Schwarzenegger is not still in the hospital. In March 2024, Schwarzenegger underwent surgery to have a pacemaker implanted to manage his irregular heartbeat. He was in and out of the hospital on the same day and is in good health.
Schwarzenegger was born with a congenital heart defect called a bicuspid aortic valve, which is when the aortic valve contains only two leaflets or flaps instead of the normal three. He has had multiple open-heart surgeries, and the scarring from these surgeries was affecting his heart rhythm.
Yes, Schwarzenegger has had several hospital stays throughout his life. In 2001, he was hospitalized for four days after breaking six ribs in a motorcycle crash. In 2006, he underwent surgery after breaking his right femur while skiing. He has also had multiple heart surgeries, including in 1997, 2018, and 2020.
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