Arnold Schwarzenegger once again demonstrated his relatability by sharing his experience with risky heart surgery in 2018. In a YouTube video, Schwarzenegger openly discussed his journey, highlighting his humanity despite his role as the Terminator.
The actor-turned-politician was open about his health. He had disclosed to the public about his congenital heart condition, and in 1997 he had his first open-heart surgery to replace a pulmonary valve. But despite his heart condition, Schwarzenegger continued his career in the film industry and in politics. Most of his films had intense action scenes that in hindsight might have worsened his pre-existing condition. However, that did not stop him from making them.
In 2018, he experienced a treatment that was initially thought to be noninvasive. However, he vividly remembers being suddenly awakened by the doctors, who confessed, “We made an error.” In order to save his life, they had to quickly transition from the original noninvasive procedure to open heart surgery. This was a critical period for Schwarzenegger, as he had a film, “Terminator: Dark Fate,” scheduled for 2019. Consequently, the iconic actor had to promptly recover his health following the surgery in order to meet the filing deadlines.
“The reality is, reversing time is not possible… What happened was a complete catastrophe. I found myself in the midst of a calamity. So now, how can I extricate myself? It’s time to change course. I compose myself, switch gears, and think, ‘Alright, my priority is to leave this hospital.'”
During his YouTube video, Schwarzenegger shared his personal experience with the recovery process. To facilitate a speedy recovery, his doctors recommended frequent movement, as remaining immobile in his hospital bed posed a risk of developing secondary life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia.
I gathered my friends and urged them to motivate me. I asked them to keep track of the number of steps I took. It might have seemed silly as I awkwardly moved around in the corridors, but the main point was that I was taking action. The doctor had advised me to engage in physical activity to improve my lung function, as pneumonia could be fatal.
After being discharged from the hospital, the actor wasted no time and promptly embarked on his training regimen for the upcoming movie. He diligently frequented the gym, engaging in weightlifting exercises and adhering to a nutritious diet, all while mindful of his recent heart surgery.
“When filming ‘Terminator 6,’ I had to maintain physical fitness, which involved being active, running, lifting objects, and performing fight scenes. I attribute my success to having a positive mindset, a clear plan for achieving my goals, and a strong support system. None of this can be accomplished alone, and I felt grateful for the support I had. When we began shooting ‘Terminator 6,’ I was fully prepared and in great shape once again.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, despite his older age, doesn’t allow his pre-existing heart condition to hinder him. He continues to prioritize his health as one of the actors in Hollywood who understand the importance of maintaining well-being to excel in their craft.
However, Schwarzenegger’s heart troubles didn’t end with his 2018 emergency surgery. Just two years later, he underwent yet another heart valve replacement, specifically the aortic valve. The procedure was carried out at the Cleveland Clinic, where he also recuperated. After his most recent open-heart surgery, Schwarzenegger shared a photo of himself lying in a hospital bed, expressing his gratitude to the medical team at the Cleveland Clinic. He mentioned having a new aortic valve alongside the previously replaced pulmonary valve from his last surgery. Schwarzenegger noted feeling fantastic and even strolling through the streets of Cleveland, admiring the city’s remarkable statues. He extended his thanks to the doctors and nurses who formed part of his team.