Derryn Hinch undergoes treatment for heart problem

Legendary journalist Derryn Hinch has undergone treatment to regulate his heart after he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation last month.

He has long been called a shock jock, but now radio legend Derryn Hinch says he can genuinely lay claim to the title after undergoing shock treatment to regulate his heart.

Hinch, 80, was admitted to hospital in Melbourne on Thursday for an electric shock procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

“In hospital this week for electric shock to my heart to regulate heart rhythm. Guess you can now call me a shock jock,” he posted on X on Saturday.

Hinch said he was home and in good shape when contacted by the Sunday Herald Sun following his social media revelation.

Derryn Hinch is taking it easy after treatment for an irregular heartbeat. Pic: Jason Edwards

“I was diagnosed about a month ago with atrial fibrillation which is the medical term for an irregular heartbeat,” he said.

“The thing was, I found myself getting short of breath and I thought ‘this is not normal’, so I went to my doctor and had an ECG (electrocardiogram) and it was discovered that I had this atrial fibrillation.

“My cardiologist booked me into hospital and on Thursday they gave me an electric shock to the heart, which is pretty scary, but it worked.

“It put my heart back into a regular rhythm and I will just see how it improves my breathing in the weeks ahead.”

Hinch was in and out of hospital for the treatment in a matter of hours, being admitted at 8am and being home by 3.30pm the same day.

He said he felt no pain from the procedure.

“I am in good shape. I am feeling good,” he said

Derryn Hinch has cut back his daily GOYA motivational walks. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Hinch’s shortness of breath caused him to scale back his daily Get Off Your A*s* walks from five kilometres to one kilometre.

He has been doing his GOYA walks, using the name for motivation, pretty much daily for the past three years.

He is planning now post treatment to slowly build up his daily step count.

In June, Hinch underwent several weeks of daily radiation treatment to rid him of a melanoma on his forehead which had first been discovered and attempted to be removed in February. The treatment was successful.