Miriam Margolyes offers fans health update following major heart surgery

Renowned actress and comedian Miriam Margolyes recently shared a candid health update with fans, disclosing that she now possesses a “cow’s heart” after undergoing major heart surgery.

The 82-year-old star of the beloved Harry Potter franchise was hospitalised in May of this year for a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a specialised surgery aimed at replacing a narrowed and partially obstructed aortic valve.

During her hospitalisation, Margolyes, known for her wit and charm, also revealed her battle with a chest infection which extended her stay in hospital.

Now in a recent interview on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, Margolyes has opened up about her operation and revealed that she now has a “cow’s heart”.

“Well, not the whole heart. I’ve had an aortic valve replaced by a cow’s aortic valve,” she said.

“I don’t know how common it is. I’d never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive.”

She went on to explain in further detail the nature of the surgery.

“They made two little holes in your groin. One in each groin and then they shoved this thing through,” she said.

“And I don’t know how they pull it up but they sort of pull it up with stereos. And then when it comes to the point, when it’s in your heart, they pull a little string and it goes pow!

“And lo and behold, your artery or your aortic valve is shoved unceremoniously to the side.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Table Manners Podcast (@tablemannerspodcast)

Margolyes recently offered another candid revelation about her health in a recent chat on the How To Fail podcast, revealing that she fears she may soon be “in a wheelchair”.

Margolyes revealed that her weight has caused her to develop spinal stenosis, which has impaired her ability to walk. Never one to mince words, Margolyes blamed only herself for her issues.

“The one thing I have not conquered and should have conquered is my weight. I am a blubber mass. I am fat. And to be fat and 82 is truly pathetic,” Margolyes said.

“It’s such a defeat. A cream bun, a chocolate, a helping of chopped liver is more important than your health and aesthetic presentation?

“No it isn’t more important, it’s just greed, lack of discipline, all the things I’m embarrassed by in myself.

“It is a major failure and because of that I’ve got spinal stenosis, I can’t walk, I’m going to be in a wheelchair before I’m much older.

“I’ve limited my life because of my longing for fudge or chopped liver, cheesecake. All these absurdities, I shouldn’t have been so greedy, have been stronger. I f**k everything up by greed and I think it’s shameful.”