Marc Mero Reveals Condition After Frightening Heart Scare

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Marc Mero just shared the kind of update no one ever takes for granted — especially after hearing the words “enlarged aorta.”

On February 17, 2026, the wrestling veteran took to Twitter to reveal that what began as a frightening heart health scare has ended with major relief. Mero explained that six weeks ago, during a routine follow-up tied to the heart valve he had replaced in 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic, doctors spotted something concerning.

“Sharing some incredible news. Six weeks ago I had an echocardiogram as part of my routine follow-up on the heart valve I had replaced in 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic. The valve I received is a bovine valve, and typically they last about 10–15 years before another open-heart surgery is needed. So this is always something I stay on top of.”

During that echocardiogram, physicians believed his aorta appeared enlarged — a finding serious enough to raise the possibility of immediate surgery. Mero didn’t downplay how heavy that moment felt.

“During that echo, they thought my aorta looked enlarged and might need immediate attention. That got my attention. Dr. Karim at Gwinnett Northside Hospital wanted a clearer picture, so I had a CT scan three weeks ago. If surgery was necessary, they would have replaced the valve at the same time since it’s been almost ten years.”

Behind the scenes, Mero kept the situation private, sharing the news only with his wife Malissa, close family, and a few trusted friends. Internally, however, he admitted the weight of the uncertainty was constant.

“I kept this pretty quiet. Only Malissa, close family, and a few friends knew. The seriousness of this wasn’t something I took lightly. When you hear words like ‘enlarged aorta’ and ‘possible surgery,’ it changes the air in the room. It’s sobering to know that one appointment, one conversation, could determine whether you’re facing another open-heart procedure. The anticipation wasn’t dramatic on the outside, but inside it was constant. Quiet. Heavy. Real.”

As he described the day of his follow-up appointment, the anxiety was palpable. The drive felt longer than usual, and even a short wait in the office seemed to stretch endlessly.

“My appointment was at 2:00 p.m., about an hour from home. Every mile of that drive felt longer than it should have… When your heart is involved, time stretches. The last thing I want right now is to have my chest opened again, replace the valve, and repair my aorta. Especially with our long awaited honeymoon just two months away.”

Then came the moment everything changed. At 65 years old, Mero won’t be heading back into surgery after all. Instead, he’s heading into his long-awaited honeymoon with a clean bill of health.

“When Dr. Karim walked in, he was his usual upbeat self. We shook hands, made small talk, and inside I’m thinking, just tell me. What do I need to do? Then he smiled and said, ‘The CT scan shows your valve is still functioning great. We do not need to repair your aorta. Keep doing exactly what you’re doing. You’re in excellent condition.’ Malissa and I thank God for answered prayers.”

After facing the possibility of another open-heart procedure, Mero’s update is the kind that puts everything into perspective. Sometimes the biggest wins don’t happen in the ring — they happen in a doctor’s office.

What do you think about Marc Mero’s update? Leave your thoughts below and send him your well wishes.