Alex's Journal

Hi folks. I thought I would share my story on here to perhaps give some hope to any active folk out there waiting for surgery.

I had a mechanical aortic valve fitted in August 2021. I was 34 at the time. Pre-surgery I was in good shape. I loved distance running, with half marathons being my preferred event. My pre-surgery PB was 1:19, and I ran 1:22 seven months before my op (I didn't realise at that time I would be having one!).

The operation itself was unremarkable but I struggled with fitness. The cardiac rehab classes were great, but definitely geared towards older patients who had never been active, and who were typically overweight and living unhealthy lifestyles.

I started jogging again after 3 months or so. The huge drop in performance was disappointing but I persevered. I managed to get myself round a half marathon 7 months after surgery in a fairly respectable time (1:37), which remains one of my proudest achievements. I'm not afraid to admit I was very emotional when I crossed the finish line!

I and am now just over 30 months post-surgery. Last weekend I raced again and finished in 1:24. I have now set my sights on beating my pre-surgery record by the time I'm 40, which I'm cautiously optimistic about.

Anyway, my advice to anybody worrying about the impact that this surgery may have on their lifestyle is that life will likely return to something approaching normality. Sure, we need to take extra care over infections, bleeding etc. and avoid contact sports, but these are small prices to pay for a second chance at life. You can be strong, fit and active, you can go on exciting adventures, and you can push yourself physically. Surviving heart surgery does not mean you become a fragile little flower, it should instead give you extra motivation to squeeze every last bit of enjoyment out of life.

I wish you all the very best of luck, wherever you are in your journey.