123 Days After Heart Valve Surgery, Justin Runs a Marathon!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: March 20, 2025
I’ve said it before and I look forward to saying it again… The patient success stories from the courageous members in our community are downright extraordinary.
This time, I am happy to share the story of Justin Chamblee, a heart valve patient from Georgia.
Justin’s Extraordinary Story…
In his own words, here is what happened…
I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve in my mid-20s, with the recommendation to monitor it every several of years. I would routinely have echos and CT scans every two-to-three years with no new news…just continue monitoring. In 2021, I had it looked at and the measurements of my ascending aorta were increasing, but not to the point of surgical intervention. The cardiologist told me that I will likely have to deal with this at some point, but most likely 10-20 years in the future.
Last year (2024), I started having some symptoms that I thought could be stress, but could also be tied to my heart condition. Random shortness of breath, tiredness, dizziness, etc. I went to see a new cardiologist (my prior one retired) who wanted the normal work-up, including an echo. I knew that my journey was taking a turn when during the echo (which was supposed to be a stress echo), my measurements and level of aortic regurgitation was such that they would not put me on the treadmill!
This led to being referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon I had seen previously, Dr. J. Alan Wolfe at Northside Hospital Heart Institute in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Wolfe wanted me to get a CT scan and then a diagnostic cath. I had never had a diagnostic cath before. The CT scan did not provide any new insights, but the diagnostic cath changed the trajectory of my life.
I am an avid runner and made my way into the NYC Marathon for 2024. I completed my last 20 mile training run for the race on October 6 and then had my diagnostic cath on October 8. My mmHg was off the charts, measuring >62 mmHg (>40 mmHg is considered Severe). The cardiologist “shut me down”. No more running, etc. until I get this fixed. I generally felt “ok” and therefore was none too pleased, but followed the doctor’s advice.
On October 30, I went in for surgery to replace my aortic valve (I went mechanical) and a large chunk of my ascending aorta. I cannot say enough about Dr. Wolfe and the team at Northside…great experience and results. Unfortunately, I watched the NYC Marathon from my hospital bed! After a four night hospital stay, I was home and on my way to recovery.
I leaned into the recommendation to walk a lot, walking several miles a day. I was cleared to start lite running at around the five week mark and then fully cleared at the six week mark. At that point, I was back at it. It was painful getting back into the groove (beta blockers are not a runner’s friend), but I was determined. After several weeks of feeling pretty strong, I started to have the crazy idea to run the Atlanta Marathon (March 2, 2025). This became my goal and I started increasing my mileage every week. The closer the date, the more I thought “I can do this”.
On March 2, 123 days post surgery, I completed the Atlanta Marathon in 3 hours 51 minutes!
It was not my fastest time, but I was not running for time…I was running to show that I could still do this.
It was an emotional experience…tears were shed during those last couple of miles!
I have really enjoyed your newsletter, Adam. I’m hopeful my story helps other patients in our community.
Keep on tickin,
Justin Chamblee
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
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