Alan Sugar health latest: Reason why The Apprentice star underwent urgent heart surgery
ALAN SUGAR will be appearing on Celebrity Apprentice tonight for a Comic Relief special of the BBC show. While the 71-year-old has always appeared the picture of health, back in 2016, it was revealed he underwent an urgent heart operation.
British Heart Foundation explains causes of heart disease
Alan Sugar, 71, was revealed to have had a heart operation in mid-December of 2016 during a winter break in Florida. The details of the operation were disclosed by his spokesman. The procedure involved a tube being fitted, as the result of a narrowed artery, which can prove fatal and lead to coronary heart disease. Lord Sugar’s spokesman Andrew Bloch confirmed to Express.co.uk at the time the business magnate had a stent fitted following a heart examination, but stressed he hadn’t had a heart attack and had swiftly returned to fighting form.
Alan Sugar was revealed to have had a heart operation in mid-December of 2016 during a winter break in Florida
He said: “As part of his normal annual health check routine in the USA, Lord Sugar, four weeks ago had an angiogram and other heart tests.
“He was on the mend within a day and cleared to resume exercise after a week.
“He’s in perfect medical health and plays tennis and rides his bike for 40 miles regularly.”
Coronary angioplasty is a procedure which involves the insertion of a stent.
What is coronary angioplasty?
While the term ‘angioplasty’ means using a balloon to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery, most modern angioplasty procedures also involve inserting a short wire mesh tube, called a stent, into the artery during the procedure, explains the NHS.
It adds: “The stent is left in place permanently to allow blood to flow more freely.”
In older people, coronary arteries can become narrowed and hardened - a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can lead to coronary heart disease.
The health body further explains: “If the flow of blood to the heart becomes restricted, it can lead to chest pain known as angina, which is usually triggered by physical activity and stress.
“While angina can often be treated with medication, a coronary angioplasty may be required to restore the blood supply to the heart in severe cases where medication is ineffective.”
What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?
This condition can develop slowly over many years and symptoms don’t always develop.
But if symptoms do show, they’ll be a result if the narrowing of the coronary arteries, says Bupa.
This may happen over time or may occur suddenly when a plaque ruptures.
It adds: “You might not know anything is wrong until you start getting chest pain (angina) or breathlessness, or have a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
“Coronary heart disease may weaken your heart and lead to a condition called heart failure too.
“This is where your heart doesn’t pump blood around your body as well as it should.”
Coronary heart disease cannot be cured, but can be managed with simple lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and stopping smoking.
Another TV star who revealed his health issues to the public is Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley.