A Genetic Heart Condition
Arnold Schwarzenegger was born with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve, a condition where the heart's aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of the normal three. While many people live with this condition undiagnosed for years, it can lead to complications later in life, such as aortic stenosis, where the valve stiffens and restricts blood flow. Schwarzenegger’s openness about his health issues, inspired by his family's history of similar heart valve problems, has helped raise awareness and encouraged others to listen to their doctors. His mother and grandmother, who also had bicuspid valves, both passed away from related complications after refusing valve replacement surgery.
A Timeline of Heart Surgeries
Schwarzenegger’s heart problems have led to a series of significant and complex surgical procedures over several decades. These are the major interventions he has publicly disclosed:
- 1997: At age 50, Schwarzenegger underwent his first major heart operation. Doctors performed a Ross Procedure, a complex open-heart surgery to replace his congenitally bicuspid aortic valve and also replaced his pulmonic valve. He chose a human donor valve over a mechanical one to allow for a more active lifestyle, knowing the tissue valve would eventually need to be replaced.
- 2018: The tissue valves, which typically last 12-15 years, had reached their limit. In 2018, he underwent open-heart surgery to replace the aging pulmonic valve. What was intended to be a less-invasive procedure turned into open-heart surgery due to complications, a situation he later described as terrifying.
- 2020: Two years later, he had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic to replace his aging aortic valve. This procedure was also a success and Schwarzenegger was back on his feet and walking around the clinic shortly after.
- 2024: Following his 2020 surgery, scar tissue led to an irregular heartbeat. After monitoring the issue for a few years, he underwent surgery in March 2024 to have a pacemaker implanted at the Cleveland Clinic.
Other Surgical Procedures and Health Issues
Beyond his widely-reported heart surgeries, Schwarzenegger has also faced other physical health challenges typical of an aging athlete and action star. In a 2025 interview with Healthline, he mentioned a hip replacement and shoulder surgery. His shoulder surgery, specifically for a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, occurred in 2003 after performing a motorcycle stunt for Terminator 3. This shows a pattern of both pre-emptive and reactive surgical interventions throughout his life.
The Impact of Medical Innovation
Schwarzenegger credits medical innovation and proactive care for his longevity, often contrasting his approach with his mother's, who succumbed to her heart condition due to a fear of surgery. His experience highlights the vast improvements in cardiac surgery, with modern non-invasive procedures sometimes allowing patients to go home the same day. This was a far cry from his initial 1997 open-heart procedure. To learn more about advances in cardiac care, you can read about heart valve procedures on Baptist Health's website.
From Recovery to Resilience
Following each procedure, Schwarzenegger has consistently demonstrated a commitment to recovery and fitness. After his 2018 open-heart surgery, despite the traumatic turn of events, he focused on recovery by getting out of bed and walking, an effort that got him ready for filming the next Terminator movie three months later. Similarly, after his 2024 pacemaker implant, he was back at a public event just days later, though he admitted he couldn't do his typical intensive gym training for a short period. His approach to health challenges—viewing them not as setbacks but as obstacles to overcome—reflects the same discipline that made him a bodybuilding legend.
Comparing Different Heart Valve Procedures
Schwarzenegger's medical journey involved decisions about different types of heart valve replacements. Here is a simplified comparison of some key valve replacement options:
| Feature | Mechanical Valve | Tissue (Bioprosthetic) Valve | Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Made of durable, artificial materials (e.g., carbon). | Made from animal tissue (e.g., cow or pig). | A tissue valve delivered via catheter; for specific patient profiles. |
| Lifespan | Long-lasting, often for the patient's lifetime. | Limited lifespan, typically 10–15 years, requiring future replacement. | Lifespan varies, designed for non-invasive replacement. |
| Anticoagulation | Requires lifelong use of blood-thinning medication. | No long-term anticoagulation medication typically needed. | Usually requires short-term anticoagulation. |
| Invasiveness | Requires open-heart surgery. | Requires open-heart surgery. | Minimally invasive, inserted via catheter. |
Conclusion: A Legacy of Strength, Inside and Out
Arnold Schwarzenegger's health history, marked by numerous surgeries and an ongoing battle with a congenital heart condition, showcases a resilience that goes beyond his on-screen persona. By being transparent about his health challenges, he has become an advocate for medical vigilance and an inspiration to others facing similar struggles. His story is a powerful reminder that true strength lies not just in physical might, but in the courage to face and overcome adversity, even when it involves going under the knife.
