Jimmy Barnes is currently recovering in ICU following open heart surgery.
The procedure is primarily given to adults to unlock arteries, allowing blood to flow to the heart more efficiently.
It treat heart problems including heart failure, congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, aneurysms and coronary artery disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The surgery involves cutting the chest open, with incisions used in modern procedures being much smaller than those made in traditional surgeries.
There are two ways to perform an open-heart surgery including on-pump which involves a heart-lung bypass machine or off-pump where the heart continues to beat on its own.
What is the life-saving surgery Jimmy Barnes (pictured) had after suffering from heart problems for years
Jimmy informed his followers on Wednesday that he was undergoing open heart surgery after a bacterial infection spread to his heart.
After the procedure, the Scottish-born Aussie took to Instagram to let his followers know he is healthy, happy and likely to make a full recovery.
Late last month, Jimmy was forced to cancel his headlining appearance at Rock the Boat cruise festival in Noumea, New Caledonia, after being hospitalised with bacterial pneumonia.
He was then forced to pull out of his scheduled performance at By The C in Torquay on December 2 after his condition failed to improve.
Jimmy has a string of sold-out headlining gigs booked for January and February, including multiple shows at the Red Hot Summer Tour festival.
However, Jimmy confirmed on Wednesday his upcoming shows will likely be axed after doctors found his infection had spread.
Jimmy is currently recovering in ICU following open heart surgery. The procedure is primarily given to adults to unlock arteries, allowing blood to flow to the heart more efficiently
Jimmy wrote in a statement: ‘Unfortunately I got some bad news late yesterday… despite everyone’s best efforts the bacterial infection I’ve been battling over the last fortnight has apparently now spread to my heart.
‘It’s infected an otherwise healthy valve that was replaced some years ago due to a congenital defect, so I’ll be getting open heart surgery over the next few hours to clear this infection and put in a clean valve.
He went on to express his frustration and shock at the diagnosis, writing: ‘Obviously this is going to take me out of action for a while. I know lots of other people are battling even worse things but it still feel hugely frustrating. Just a few weeks ago I was the fittest I’ve been in decades!
‘Anyway, as you can hopefully appreciate, this has all happened very suddenly so it’s going to take a few days for everyone to figure out what is going to be doable with my upcoming shows.’
Jimmy informed his followers on Wednesday that he was undergoing open heart surgery after a bacterial infection spread to his heart
