Post by HARD ROCK UNIVERSE on Jan 3, 2008 1:27:32 GMT -5
Sir Paul McCartney had heart surgery amid the continuing strain of his split from Heather Mills.
The 65-year-old had complained of feeling unwell after a series of stressful rows with his estranged wife over the custody of their daughter.
It emerged that doctors advised he have coronary angioplasty - an operation to open the arteries of his heart.
The procedure was carried out at a private hospital in September.
Friends of the Beatle said that his fans should not be alarmed at the development.
One said: "It was a routine procedure and Paul is in excellent health. Fans certainly have no need to worry.
"He immediately returned to a busy schedule, performing in Paris and London the following month."
Medical experts say extreme stress can "unmask" conditions such as Sir Paul's.
Dr Duncan Dymond, a consultant cardiologist at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, said: "While stress does not cause heart disease it can bring out the symptoms.
"Fat builds up in the arteries over decades but an event of physical or emotional stress can unmask the disease.
"Symptoms may feel like the tightening of the chest or a heaviness in the chest. I would advise avoiding stress as much as possible. Although sometimes that is just plain impossible."
The Christmas period has been especially fraught for Sir Paul as bitter divorce proceedings over his four year marriage remain unresolved.
The 65-year-old had complained of feeling unwell after a series of stressful rows with his estranged wife over the custody of their daughter.
It emerged that doctors advised he have coronary angioplasty - an operation to open the arteries of his heart.
The procedure was carried out at a private hospital in September.
Friends of the Beatle said that his fans should not be alarmed at the development.
One said: "It was a routine procedure and Paul is in excellent health. Fans certainly have no need to worry.
"He immediately returned to a busy schedule, performing in Paris and London the following month."
Medical experts say extreme stress can "unmask" conditions such as Sir Paul's.
Dr Duncan Dymond, a consultant cardiologist at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, said: "While stress does not cause heart disease it can bring out the symptoms.
"Fat builds up in the arteries over decades but an event of physical or emotional stress can unmask the disease.
"Symptoms may feel like the tightening of the chest or a heaviness in the chest. I would advise avoiding stress as much as possible. Although sometimes that is just plain impossible."
The Christmas period has been especially fraught for Sir Paul as bitter divorce proceedings over his four year marriage remain unresolved.