Mick Jagger to get heart valve replacement surgery

NEW YORK CITY — Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is set to undergo heart surgery, following the postponement of the band's North American tour.

Reuters reports that according to U.S. website Drudge Report, the 75-year-old rock icon will be getting heart valve replacement surgery in New York this week. Here's what that entails.

According to the British Heart Foundation, there are four valves in the heart that make sure blood flows through the heart in the correct direction.

When a valve is damaged, it may need to be replaced when it either does not close properly and leaks blood, or has become narrowed and obstructs blood flow. Otherwise, it could get worse and may lead to heart failure."

According to the NHS, valve replacement surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic.

During the procedure, a 25-centimeter-long incision is made down the middle of the breastbone to access the heart. A heart-lung bypass machine is attached to take over pumping blood to the rest of the body, and the heart is stopped.

Once the vessel is clamped and opened up, the damaged valve is removed and replaced with a new one that is either artificial or biological. The heart is then restarted using controlled electric shocks, and the new valve checked before the heart-lung bypass machine is removed and all incisions are closed."

Patients who have had a valve replaced typically stay in the hospital for a week, and take two to three months to fully recover.

According to the Telegraph, Jagger's doctors have said he is expected to make a complete recovery after his surgery.