Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s heart condition was something that was caused by his family history. However, owing to the Austrian Oak’s diligence, he could figure out the fact that he needed treatment for it. However, the anxiety and mental health struggles that come alongside the illness is something that Arnie has decided to now shed light on.

Recently, in a Q&A session on the Pump app, a fan described his improvement because of Arnold’s app, but he also confessed how he has found it difficult to deal with his incurable eye condition. While talking about this adversity, the fan sought a way out of that particular mindset. While touching upon his own example, Schwarzenegger had some really good advice to give the fan while revealing how he has gone through such days in his life.

Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to only ponder upon things he has control over

Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed to the fan that he had felt similar when he underwent his open-heart surgery. The bodybuilder explained that any surgery like that can have a side effect of ‘Temporary Depression”, which he felt was normal. Schwarzenegger explained how he has always been an extremely optimistic person, but post surgery he was more troubled by the negativity that came out of him than the surgery itself. However, the former bodybuilder did explain, “But I try to recalibrate as quickly as I can, and bring myself to what I can control because there is no anxiety in what you know you can do.”

Furthermore, Schwarzenegger also gave directions for tackling these feelings. He explained how walking and doing his breathing exercises helped him a lot. Besides this he also suggested talking to oneself and trying to affirm that things are going to be fine might have more benefits than dwelling in thoughts one has no control over. Moreover, Arnold Schwarzenegger also explained how one should not feel depression is a “failure of any kind” as he recalled how his own heart doctors gave him a cigar to calm him down.

Having undergone multiple heart surgeries himself, Schwarzenegger actually discovered from his mother that his heart condition comes from their bloodline. Earlier, he had explained how he realized this.

Arnie’s mother revealed that his grandmother had a similar heart issue

In 1994, right after shooting True Lies, Arnold Schwarzenegger was made aware of the hereditary nature of heart diseases within his family line. He talked about how running a check-up for his mother revealed this. Arnie stated, “My mother had a heart problem, so I took her to UCLA one day. They told her that she has a valve problem… two of her valves didn’t really work well.” 

Moreover, when doctors were enquiring about it, Schwarzenegger’s mother revealed that even his grandmother had a similar issue which led to her death. She said, “My mother had a valve problem, and she died at the age of 67.”

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With Arnold Schwarzenegger having gone through many such situations, he is definitely someone who can help the people of his “village” deal with mental health struggles during health scares. However, what one needs to learn from the Austrian Oak is his dedication to come back stronger every time something like this happens.

READ MORE: Arnold Schwarzenegger Credits Modern Healthcare Once Again After Surviving a Fatal Illness That Killed His Mother and Grandmother