Bob Mortimer reflects on having open heart surgery
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The comedian’s condition was discovered after he visited his GP with a suspected chest infection. Speaking in a previous series of Gone Fishing he revealed: “It gives you a kick up the backside and gets things in perspective. I can remember when I first got the news, I thought I’d be a goner and I got very sentimental about my favourite egg cup and things like the seat I watch the telly in.”
In a bid to raise awareness for his condition and surgery, the 62-year-old continues to speak about it.
In October this year, he told how finding out he had to have open-heart surgery was when he felt “closest to death”
He told The Guardian: “I remember heart surgery when it was just coming in. It was a serious business.
“So finding out I had to have open-heart surgery is when I felt closest to death.
“I was wrong; it’s a safe operation. It motivated me to try to make the best of my days.”
Bob has revealed in the past he was once a man who used to have 16 sugars in his tea, but he’s now much more conscious of his health.
Speaking openly about his surgery on Gone Fishing has “changed” the star.
He told RadioTimes.com: “It changed me in a tiny way, which does not happen when you get old and you’re set in your ways.
“I’ve lost that uncomfortableness, so as soon as you’ve lost that thing, these are quite good things to talk about really.
“But our generation is a bit reluctant to breach that barrier now and actually talk about it.
“So, in a tiny little way, it’s nice to grow a little when you’re in your 60s.”
Bypass surgery is usually recommended to people with coronary heart disease or angina to help improve the blood supply to the heart muscle.
It’s worth noting the symptoms of coronary heart disease as it’s a major cause of death in the UK and worldwide.
The NHS says the main symptoms are:
- chest pain (angina)
- shortness of breath
- pain throughout the body
- feeling faint
- feeling sick (nausea)
But not everyone has the same symptoms and some people may not have any before coronary heart disease is diagnosed.
The health body explains the causes of the condition: “Coronary heart disease is the term that describes what happens when your heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
“Over time, the walls of your arteries can become furred up with fatty deposits. This process is known as atherosclerosis and the fatty deposits are called atheroma.
“Atherosclerosis can be caused by lifestyle factors, such as smoking and regularly drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
“You’re also more at risk of getting atherosclerosis if you have conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes.”
If you suspect coronary heart disease, speak to your GP.
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