Arnold Schwarzenegger Gets Pacemaker Fitted After Three Open Heart Surgeries

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 76, said he had a pacemaker fitted following three previous open heart surgeries.

On his podcast, Arnold’s Pump Club, the Terminator star said, “Last Monday, I had surgery to become a little bit more of a machine: I got a pacemaker.”

“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. Nobody would ever have thought I started the week with a surgery.”

Schwarzenegger underwent two operations to replace his pulmonic and aortic valves in 1997. In 2018 and 2020, Schwarzenegger had two more operations to replace the same valves, which last 12 to 15 years post-op. Three of the four operations were open-heart.

Schwarzenegger opened up about his medical history, saying how different it was from his life in Austria.

“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,” he said. “Everything related to healthcare was kept to yourself.”

The actor and former California governor also talked about how much support he received from fans who had gone through the same procedures or had the same conditions. He said being open about his procedures gave “them courage and hope to deal with their own.”

Schwarzenegger’s pacemaker will aid his irregular heartbeat which he says was caused by the scar tissue in his heart. The actor also said he is staying on top of his health after his mother passed away in 1998 from the same condition but did not undergo the necessary surgeries.

On his podcast, Schwarzenegger gave a positive message to his listeners about his health and theirs.

“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,” he said. “That’s what Arnold’s Pump Club is all about. There are weights that none of us can lift alone. But together, we can lift anything—we can lift up the world. You are never alone here.”