Mick Jagger to Undergo a Heart Valve Surgery: What Is It?

The 75-year-old musician will have the surgery to replace a valve in his heart. Here’s all you need to know.

Veteran rocker Mick Jagger is set to undergo heart surgery.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/@mickjaggerofficial)

Veteran rocker Mick Jagger is set to undergo heart surgery.

According to the Rolling Stone magazine, the 75-year-old musician will have the surgery to replace a valve in his heart.

As a result of the treatment and recovery period, the Rolling Stones postponed the North American leg of their ‘No Filter’ tour, which was supposed to run from April 20 to July 29. The legendary English rock band were due to play 17 shows in the US and Canada.

“Mick Jagger has been advised by doctors that he cannot go on tour at this time as he needs medical treatment. The doctors have advised Mick that he is expected to make a complete recovery so that he can get back on stage as soon as possible,” the band’s representative had said in a statement issued on 30 March.

As per a report in The Sun, Jagger will be “undergoing a non-invasive heart valve procedure” and will hopefully be out of the hospital with in a couple of days.

What is a Heart Valve Replacement Surgery?

A heart valve replacement surgery is performed when any of the four heart valves don’t function the way they should. The valves lie at the exit point of the four chambers in the heart and ensure that the blood flows in one direction and there is no backward flow.

One might observe the following symptoms if any of the heart valves don’t function properly:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in breathing
• Sudden weight gain (in certain cases)
• Swelling of the feet, ankles or stomach
• Palpitations

A damaged or a malfunctioning heart valve can either be treated with medications or surgeries. As per WebMD, “valves can be repaired or replaced with traditional heart valve surgery or a minimally invasive heart valve surgery.”

Risks Involved

Some of the possible risks of a heart valve repair or replacement surgery include:

• Internal bleeding during or after the surgery
• Blood clots which might cause stroke or lung issues
• Pneumonia
• Pancreatitis
• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
• Malfunction of the new valve

Other risks will depend on the patient’s previous medical history.

Jagger also took to Twitter to apologise to his fans.

"I really hate letting you down like this. I'm devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can," he had tweeted.

Drudge Report first reported the news saying that the procedure will take place on 5 April in New York. The publication added that Jagger is expected to make a full recovery and return to touring this summer.

(With inputs from PTI)