The 62-year-old was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a usually genetic condition in which the heart muscle thickens and impedes and blocks blood flow. It affects about one in 1000 people.
Before the operation Holmes admitted feeling anxious and "a bit scared" but he and his wife were buoyed by good wishes from family and supporters.
He said he had been feeling breathless and lacking energy for about a month, which he thought was a result of being rundown after finishing writing a book.
When his condition was confirmed by his Hastings cardiologist Richard Luke, Holmes was flown to Auckland on May 30.
He has been positive about his long-term prognosis, including a return to work as a Newstalk ZB and TVNZ host and Weekend Herald columnist, saying he had confidence in the surgeons.
Holmes has survived a road accident, a helicopter crash and cancer.
