Legendary broadcaster Derryn Hinch hospitalised for heart condition

Derryn Hinch was admitted to hospital in Melbourne to undergo treatment for a heart condition one month after surprise diagnosis.

Derryn Hinch was admitted to hospital in Melbourne to undergo treatment for a heart condition.

The legendary broadcaster shared the health update on X on Saturday, revealing he is quite literally a “shock jock” now after undergoing an electric shock procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat last Thursday.

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

Derryn Hinch was hospitalised for a heart condition on Thursday. Picture: Jason Edwards

The 80-year-old shared more details with the Herald Sun, telling the masthead he has since been released from hospital and is on the mend one month on from being diagnosed with a heart condition.

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

Hinch revealed he first consulted his doctor after “getting short of breath” and thinking “this is not normal”. He was given a ECG (electrocardiogram) during which they discovered he had atrial fibrillation.

Hinch celebrated his 80th birthday in South Melbourne in February. Picture: Tony Gough

“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,” he said of his procedure last week, which saw him in and out of hospital within hours – he was admitted at 8am and released at 3.30pm on the same day.

“It put my heart back into a regular rhythm and I will just see how it improves my breathing in the weeks ahead,” he said, adding that he felt no pain.

“I am in good shape. I am feeling good.”

This is Hinch’s second health battle this year. In June, he revealed he underwent weeks of daily radiation treatment for melanoma.

Hinch says he is now back home and on the mend. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

The broadcaster underwent radiation treatment for melanoma in June. Picture: Facebook

“I’m getting there. On Monday, I start Week 3 of my radiation treatment at the Alfred for facial skin cancer,” he posted on Facebook at the time.

“So far, no side effects like tiredness, and scarring is minimal. Staff fantastic.”

Hinch told the Sunday Herald Sun a cancerous spot on his forehead was discovered in February and removed by a doctor, but he needed further surgery at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He underwent a total of five successful rounds of radiation.

He had a previous skin cancer issuer on the other side of his face eight years ago. Tests showed it was clear. He also underwent a liver transplant in 2011.

Originally published as Legendary broadcaster Derryn Hinch hospitalised for heart condition