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Three Years After Aortic Valve Replacement, Leo Transforms Into A “Sprint” Triathlete

By Adam Pick on November 2, 2012

There’s nothing better than opening an email and reading a patient success story.

That said, here’s a great update from Leo Hernandez. As you might recall, I first posted about Leo in 2009 after his bicuspid aortic valve was replaced Doctor Richard Shemin, MD at UCLA in Los Angeles. In his email, Leo writes to me:

Leo Hernandez - BAV Patient And Half-Marathon Runner Leo Hernandez – Aortic Valve Replacement Patient

Dear Adam,

Thanks for using my picture with Dr. Shemin on your October 19 issue of your newsletter. To let you know, it’s been now 3 years and 9 months since my aortic valve replacement by Dr. Richard Shemin on January 6, 2009.

Even though I am now 60, I feel I am in the best shape of my life. I have participated and completed 3 sprint triathlons this past summer in Florida. A sprint triathlon is a 400 meter open ocean swim, a 16 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run.

Now, I am training to enter an Olympic distance triathlon next year which includes a 1.5 kilometer swim, a 40 kilometer bike ride, and a 10 kilometer run.

Dr. Richard Shemin With Leo
Leo with Dr. Richard Shemin

Thanks again for your book and website!

Leo Hernandez, MD

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Jim Pattillo says on November 2nd, 2012 at 2:04 pm

That’s great. I’ll be doing a half marathon in two weeks, less than six months after AVR for a bicuspid aortic valve. I’m 38. Three weeks ago, I ran a personal best for a 5K at a 7:22/mile pace. It’s amazing what medicine is doing these days.

Mitch Friedman says on November 2nd, 2012 at 2:22 pm

Well, I am not as cool as Jim (previous post). It took me 8 months post op to run a half marathon (my first, I’m 48). But I do agree with his statement, it is amazing what modern medicine is able to do these days. Great job to all of us for staying healthy post op. Leo thanks for the inspiration. Way to go!

DVB says on November 3rd, 2012 at 3:19 pm

Monstrous!