Elderly sweethearts married 74 years mend their hearts with twin surgeries on same day

Elderly sweethearts Raymond and Maizie Huggins have shared countless milestones during their last 74 years of marriage, including this week both undergoing surgery to the most important thing that connects them: their hearts.

The US couple, aged in their 90s, both suffered coronary artery disease and had only months left to live.

Raymond, 96, and Maizie, 93, had both previously undergone operations to improve their health but weren't expected to survive the recovery period for a serious heart operation.

But a new heart valve replacement surgery that has recently become available meant doctors at Cleveland Clinic placed the couple at the top of their list of recipients, KTLA 5 reports.

The couple, who celebrate their 74th wedding anniversary in October, are now in recovery.

When asked what keeps their romance alive, the pair said they never stopped loving each other.

"We love each other ... when we go to bed just really cuddle up and really enjoy each other," Raymond said.

"(He's a) good father, good husband, he was just good all the way around," Maizie said.