News of Paul McCartney undergoing heart surgery last year has started a wave of fears for the health of the former Beatle but the procedure is quite common.
It became known yesterday that McCartney had a coronary angioplasty mid-last year. In the USA, 1 million of these operations take place every year. Last year in the UK alone, more than 40,000 operations took place.When you have the operation, the doctor inserts a small tube through your groin and into your aorta. A small balloon is then inserted into the vein and inflated which allows blood to flow easier.
The operation improves symptoms of coronary heart disease, such as angina; it reduces damage to the heart muscle, which may have been caused by a heart attack and it extends the life of the heart for up to 20 years.
McCartney had the operation following stress from his bitter divorce with Heather Mills.
By having the operation, he has taken preventative measures that may have caused him a serious problem later.
The singer made an excellent recovery after the surgery. He is said to be in great shape, exercises regularly, and does not carry any excess weight.
The McCartney/Mills divorce hearing will head back to court next month. The Beatle has amassed a fortune worth around $US1.58 billon. Mills is after a decent slice of that flaming pie, despite only being married to the singer for 3 years.
