A city MP is to undergo open heart surgery after he was diagnosed with a serious heart disease.

Steve McCabe (Lab Selly Oak) is to have an operation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Edgbaston, after his GP detected a heart murmur during a routine check-up.

The MP has not experienced any symptoms as a result of the problem apart from feelings of tiredness.

In the long term, the condition could be potentially life-threatening if left untreated.

Surgeons will repair the mitral valve inside the heart.

This is a valve which opens to allow blood to flow from one part of the heart to another, but in Mr McCabe’s case the valve is not closing properly.

Mr McCabe, aged 56, is due to undergo the procedure within the next fortnight, but the date could be put back if emergency cases require more urgent treatment.

Although it involves major surgery, the procedure to fix the valve is considered routine.

Mr McCabe said he expected to take some months to recover, but would be back at work dealing helping constituents around two months after the operation. He is unlikely to return to full-time duties at the House of Commons until November.

He said: “It was picked up in a routine medical. They found I was actually pretty fit and healthy for a man of my age but they discovered I had a heart murmur.

“I had it checked out and they were very clear in their diagnosis.

“The problem with the valve means the heart has to pump harder to get the right supply of blood through, which puts a strain on the heart over a period of time.

“I get very tired. I don’t have as much energy as I used to, but that’s as far as the symptoms go.

“In the long run, if it is not fixed it can be very serious.

“The key issue for me is to ensure there is no lessening in the service my constituents receive.

‘‘I have been discussing the situation with staff in my office at Parliament and in my constituency, and they will be on hand to deal with issues and problems raised by constituents even if I am not able to do it personally for a time.”