The Wanted's Max George health update after being rushed to hospital

max george has described the scare that led to a December 2024 hospitalisation, emergency surgery for a 2: 1 block on his heart and a pacemaker being fitted that same week. The 37-year-old said he has steadily recuperated and returned to the stage with The Wanted 2. 0 last year.

Max George on his diagnosis

George said his condition was identified as a 2: 1 block on his heart, and he received a diagnosis of heart block. The context notes this occurs when there is an issue with the electrical impulses that regulate the heartbeat and can be managed by fitting a pacemaker to maintain a regular heart rhythm. He has also been diagnosed with myocarditis, which the context describes as inflammation of the heart muscle.

What happened during hospitalisation

He recalled the moment he saw himself going "completely blue" before being rushed to hospital. George said: "It was mad. I knew something was seriously wrong, because I could hardly breathe, and my arms and my chest were blue – and my face. It was a shock more than anything. " His heart rate was "at around 24 (beats per minute)" and remained that low "for about eight days whilst I was in hospital waiting for the operation. " He added: "I couldn't physically feel anything that was going on, but I was aware of it. There were times where it kind of felt like torture a little bit. "

Symptoms and medical sequence

George described a chain of illness beginning with a chest infection that turned into pneumonia and then developed into myocarditis. He said: "We did a huge physical examination before Strictly and I did another show before where I had a huge heart scan. Mine happened through a chest infection which then turned into pneumonia and I got something called myocarditis, which is inflamation of the heart muscle. " He explained that myocarditis can resolve without symptoms for many people but "with mine, the electrical impulse didn't work in my heart so I had to have a pacemaker put in. "

Emergency treatment and recovery

George recalled waking unable to get out of bed and seeing his arms and hands "completely blue. " He managed to get down the stairs and his mother arrived: "My mum walked through the door and I hadn't seen my face yet but the first thing she said was, 'What have you done?' and I didn't know. " He said he was rushed to hospital and "within 10 minutes I was told I would need a defibrilator or a pacemaker. " George underwent emergency surgery and had a pacemaker fitted that same week; another account in the context states the pacemaker was fitted at the end of 2024. He said the experience of the fitting was a "shock" and that he now depends on the pacemaker: "it's 100%. So it's always working for me. I wouldn't be here without it. " He also described a two month lay off during which he went on tour in America before coming home and feeling strange.

Campaign work with red benches

George began openly discussing his heart issues while hospitalised, sharing his journey on Instagram initially out of "boredom. " He said: "To interact with people was just something nice to do. But the more I spoke to people, the more I realised that there was a lot of people my age and younger that have had this happen to them. " He added: "It kind of triggered a thought process that it was important to get the word out there – that (heart problems) don't just happen to people over 75. " He said: "If I can help them (The British Heart Foundation) with their story or help bring more money towards treatment for heart conditions, then I'm all for it. "

As part of the initiative, George will meet with others living with heart conditions to exchange accounts of their journeys. He said he is "genuinely buzzing" to participate in the campaign, which will see the charity install 65 red benches representing each year of its existence throughout the UK in honour of those living with cardiovascular disease. Every bench will feature the name of someone who has survived alongside a brief message about them and their interests. On the campaign he said: "It feels really cool to be a part of it. This is an awesome campaign to be supporting, and we'll just see where it goes. "

Band history and personal notes

George achieved stardom during the 2010s as part of The Wanted, performing alongside bandmates Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes and Tom Parker. Tom Parker tragically died in 2022 aged 33 following a diagnosis of an inoperable brain tumour. The band is recognised for hits such as All Time Low, Glad You Came and Chasing The Sun, and secured two UK number one singles and four UK top 10 albums.

George has also featured in the American musical drama Glee and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, where he met former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, who has since become his partner. The Wanted singer is from Swinton, Greater Manchester.

In interviews max george has underlined the seriousness of his recent health scare and his intent to raise awareness among younger people living with heart conditions.

George continues his recovery while supporting the bench campaign and meeting others affected by cardiovascular disease.