Michael Palin announces plan to have heart surgery as he cancels book tour
Sir Michael Palin is to undergo surgery for a leaky heart valve, which was discovered during a routine health check.
The Monty Python star has been forced to cancel a forthcoming book tour but said he hope to feel “better than normal” after the operation.
Writing on his blog, Sir Michael, 76, said: “Five years ago, a routine health check revealed a leaky mitral valve in my heart.
“Until the beginning of this year it had not affected my general level of fitness. Recently, though, I have felt my heart having to work harder and have been advised it's time to have the valve repaired.
“I shall be undergoing surgery in September and should be back to normal, or rather better than normal, within three months.”
Referring to a quote from Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life, Sir Michael called the post The Machine That Goes ‘Ping!’.
Sir Michael, also known for his travel documentaries and books, was due to make a series of appearances across the UK in October to talk about his new book, North Korea Journal, which follows his 2018 Channel 5 documentary. Penguin, the publisher, said all tickets will be refunded.
Problems with the mitral valve can lead to blood flowing in the wrong direction. A ‘leaky’ valve can cause dizziness, breathlessness, tiredness and chest pain, although in many cases there are no symptoms.
The valve can be repaired during surgery or replaced with a mechanical version.
Philippa Hobson, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "If the mitral valve stops working properly people may find they become tired more quickly, or gradually become less able to do activities they previously found easy, such as walking up inclines.
"Mitral valve surgery involves replacing or repairing the valve which is either leaking or narrowed.
"It may be performed through open heart surgery, although some techniques are less invasive.
"Recovery time varies, but open heart surgery usually takes a few months."
