Arnold Schwarzenegger Updates Fans On His Heart Condition In New Video

Arnold Schwarzenegger fans were given quite a scare a couple weeks ago when the bodybuilder-turned-actor/politician underwent emergency heart surgery. The operation was successful, however, and Arnold is finally back. He returned home last week, and this week he released a video addressing his health and his current condition. Arnold admits he's not quite "great," but he's getting better, and he'll be back to his former self soon. Take a look at the social media address from Schwarzenegger below.

See more

In the video statement, Arnold Schwarzenegger thanks his legion of fans and followers for reaching out during his time of need. While Arnold isn't quite "great," he assures everyone he's "good," and that he is working towards bettering himself as he recovers at home. Here's what he told his fans.

Hello everybody. I just wanted to let know, thank you so much for all your wishes and for all the cards and phone calls and the emails and the texts and all this kind of stuff that I get from all around the world. I really appreciate that very much, and you're very kind. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm feeling much better. I can't say -- even with my positive attitude -- that I'm great, because I'm not great yet. Great is a totally different level. But I'm good. I feel good. I've got good care, good doctors, good nurses -- everything's fantastic. So, anyway, I'm here with a chess board. Playing a little bit of chess here to refreshen my mind and my memory a little bit. And we move forward. So, I will stay in touch with all of you, and thank you all for being such troopers.

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger notes, we'll get more updates as they come. For now, though, it's good to know that Schwarzenegger is doing well. As it was previously reported, the Terminator actor developed complications from his experimental catheter valve replacement surgery two weeks ago. The 70-year-old was in surgery for several hours, but Schwarzenegger was in stable condition shortly after the surgery proved successful. The doctors at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles were prepared in case the initial operation didn't turn out well, and they were able to save him when things took a turn. When Arnold awoke from his scary medical ordeal, can you guess what his first returning words were? That's right. You got it. They were: "I'm back."

It wasn't Arnold Schwarzenegger's first heart surgery, as the actor previously had a procedure to have a congenitally defective aortic valve replaced in 1997 when Arnold was 47. The decision to undergo open heart surgery willingly was considered "the hardest decision" Schwarzenegger ever made at the time, since Arnold believed it would be the best decision he could make for his health. After a short period in the hospital, Schwarzenegger was considered in "fantastic spirits" by Daniel Ketchell, a spokesperson who also reported on Arnold's return home. We're glad to see his quick recovery.

Will Ashton

Will is an entertainment writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. His writing can also be found in The Playlist, Cut Print Film, We Got This Covered, The Young Folks, Slate and other outlets. He also co-hosts the weekly film/TV podcast Cinemaholics with Jon Negroni and he likes to think he's a professional Garfield enthusiast.