Emperor Akihito to Undergo Heart Surgery

Following a scheduled heart exam yesterday, it was announced Sunday that the Emperor of Japan will undergo heart bypass surgery this coming Saturday.

See more photos of Emperor Akihito here

When Emperor Akihito, age 78, went for the hour long exam, it was discovered that an artery, that was narrowing last year, has narrowed further. That particular artery provides oxygen to the heart.

In 2011, Akihito received medication for the narrowing of the artery. He was told to report any noticeable changes, which he did while recently engaging in light exercise.

This is latest health problem for the Japanese Emperor, who ascended to the throne in 1989. In 2003, he had surgery for prostate cancer. In 2008, he then suffered from a bleeding ulcer due to stress, and late last year, was hospitalized for pneumonia.

Saturday’s operation will take place at the University of Tokyo.

Source: Kyodo, UPI