Arnold Schwarzenegger recently revealed on his podcast, “Arnold’s Pump Club,” that he underwent pacemaker surgery last week, adding to his history of three open heart surgeries. The 76-year-old humorously likened himself to his iconic Terminator character, now boasting a “machine part.”
In his podcast episode dated Monday, March 25, Schwarzenegger shared, “Last Monday, I had surgery to become a little bit more of a machine. I got a pacemaker.” He acknowledged the contrast between his openness about medical issues now and the cultural norms of his upbringing in Austria, where health matters were typically kept private.
Despite these cultural differences, Schwarzenegger noted the positive impact of sharing his experiences, especially for individuals with similar medical conditions. “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,” he said.
The actor and former Governor of California, who recently appeared at the Oscars alongside Danny DeVito, assured his fans of a speedy recovery. “First of all, I want you to know I’m doing great,” Schwarzenegger stated. He praised his medical team for their excellent care and emphasized that despite the surgery, he was actively participating in events like an environmental gathering with Jane Fonda just days after.
Schwarzenegger credited exercise as a key factor in maintaining his health and vitality, highlighting Fonda’s fitness and age as an example. “When we talk about exercise being the only magic pill to slow down aging, look at Jane. She’s 10 years older than me, turning 87 this year,” he remarked.
Overall, Schwarzenegger expressed gratitude for his medical team’s efforts in making the surgery as comfortable as possible. He also shared that the decision for the pacemaker stemmed from irregular heartbeats caused by scar tissue from previous surgeries, underscoring the importance of ongoing medical monitoring and intervention.
