Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that he recently underwent a heart procedure following a sudden decline in his health. The 64-year-old television personality experienced troubling symptoms after a swim while on holiday, which made it difficult for him to navigate stairs. Upon returning to the UK, his condition worsened, prompting him to seek medical attention.
In an interview, Clarkson described feeling “clammy,” experiencing a “tightness in my chest,” and having “pins and needles in my left arm.” His decision to see a doctor was partly influenced by the recent news of former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond’s sudden death, which prompted him to take his symptoms seriously.
Clarkson was taken by ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where doctors conducted tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), to rule out a heart attack. Fortunately, the tests did not indicate a heart attack, but the doctors expressed concern that he was potentially “days away” from serious health complications.
“It seems that one of the arteries supplying my heart with blood was completely blocked, and a second artery was also close to being blocked,” Clarkson explained. Following this diagnosis, he underwent a two-hour procedure to fit a stent, a small device designed to keep arteries open.
Reflecting on the experience, Clarkson remarked, “Crikey, that was close,” emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. In light of his health scare, he is considering making changes to his diet and even joked about wondering what water tastes like, stating he is curious if it’s possible to make celery enjoyable.
Seven years ago, Clarkson quit his habit of smoking 40 cigarettes a day. He shared in a column for The Sun last year that a doctor had flagged a “worrying rise in my blood pressure” due to his use of nicotine gum.
Despite the recent health scare, Clarkson continues to work on his television projects, including Clarkson’s Farm and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? He recently opened a pub called The Farmer’s Dog in Oxfordshire, close to his home in Chipping Norton.
Clarkson’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of monitoring health, especially as one ages, and the potential benefits of lifestyle changes.