Miriam Margolyes confirms heart surgery as she shares health update
Miriam Margolyes has confirmed that she has undergone heart surgery, with the actor providing a health update.
The star, who has appeared in Harry Potter and Call the Midwife, revealed last month that she couldn't walk after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, and she has now shared the news that she recently underwent heart surgery.
"I've got a cow's heart now. Well, not the whole heart. I've had an aortic valve replaced by a cow's aortic valve," she told Jessie and Leonie Ware on the Table Manners podcast.
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"I think it's [a] rather refined [operation]. 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. 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."
Despite her ongoing health issues, Margolyes revealed last month that an upcoming television project gave her a fresh perspective, saying: "I said [to the director], 'I don't want to be seen as a cripple, I don't want that. Don't put me on television having difficulty moving.'
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"She said, 'Miriam, don't you see that that is an encouragement to people watching who may have difficulties? You being there on telly, being yourself, that gives people courage.'
"I thought, well that may be true — this hideous old bag lurching about their televisions might give them confidence. That is a good thing because I really want to help."
The star was recently confirmed as a cast member for the upcoming 60th anniversary specials for Doctor Who, with the actor set to voice the role of Meep the alien from The Star Beast comic strip.
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