I’ve posted a number of patient success stories about running after heart valve surgery. From the sounds of it, I believe we are about to add Iris to that special, patient list.

Iris Vinegar, an 82-year-old grandmother from Raleigh, North Carolina, is preparing to join 32,000 other runners for the Monument Avenue 10K this Saturday.

Iris Vinegar (Left) – Grandma, Runner And
Heart Valve Replacement Patient

Vinegar, a devoted distance runner, underwent four hours of open-heart, valve-replacement surgery ^[1] on January 30, 2009 to replace her aortic valve which suffered from aortic stenosis.

“[My doctor] says I should be able to run twice as fast as before,” Vinegar said. Then she laughed. “I’m not sure that would be such a good thing. If I’m that fast, they’ll probably hand me a urine cup instead of a trophy or a medal when I cross the finish line.”

Vinegar’s condition, aortic stenosis, was detected four years ago ^[2]. She ran three marathons — each preceded by a comprehensive check-up — and three Monument Avenue races before her aortic valve became severe ^[3] to the point where surgery was required.

Picture of Diseased Aortic Valve (Aortic Stenosis)

“Physicians said I was in tip-top shape except for the valve,” Vinegar said. “They said my heart was in excellent condition and my arteries were beautiful.”

Now, with a new, fully-functional aortic heart valve, Iris Vinegar is set on completing her first race since surgery.

Keep on tickin’ (and runnin’) Iris!

You are an inspiration to us all!