Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Two weeks ago, we introduced a unique website feature known as Heart Valve Journals.  I’m very happy to report that the number of new journals launched - by patients and caregivers - has soared!

One of the most active patients within this new community is Duane Hunt from Winter Haven, Florida. Not only is Duane active, he is a very funny writer. Plus, Duane’s friends and family are showering him with support as his Guestbook already has 175+ comments.

Duane And Peggy Hunt

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In addition to Robin Williams, Barbara Bush, Elizabeth Taylor, Ed Koch and many other public figures who had heart valve surgery in 2009…

Fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne is now recovering from heart valve surgery at his home in Morro Bay, California. LaLanne’s publicist, Ariel Hankin, said earlier this week that the 95-year-old underwent the procedure at a Los Angeles hospital on December 8th.

Jack LaLanne - Heart Valve Surgery Patient

Hankin says that before surgery LaLanne told his family that “dying would wreck his image”. The weightlifting guru is doing fine and expected to make a full recovery.

Prior to heart valve surgery, Jack LaLanne became famous for his physique and for outrageous stunts, such as towing boats while swimming across Long Beach Harbor handcuffed. Jack LaLanne became a household name by hosting an exercise show on television from 1951 to 1985.

I have yet to learn the details of Jack LaLanne’s heart valve surgery. That said, I do not know if LaLanne’s procedure was a valve repair or valve replacement. And, if it was a valve replacement, I do not know if LaLanne opted for a pig valve or a cow valve. Who knows, maybe LaLanne selected a mechanical valve considering his incredibly healthy lifestyle and much-anticipated centenarian status.

Keep on tickin Jack!

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About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of more than 135 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.

I’m currently traveling through Europe for work. Right now, I’m on a train going from Eindhoven to Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Yes, it’s cold. But, not as cold as Helsinki, Finland where it was freeeeeezing.

Luckily, I have a few moments to read personal emails. One of those emails was from Mark Linnus, a 46 year-old patient from New York who was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and severe regurgitation. Over the past year, I have corresponded with Mark about his upcoming valve surgery. In particular, much of our exchange focused on surgeon selection.

Well… Mark has good news to report. Here is what he wrote to me:

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Some may call David’s story ironic. I call it fantastic! That said, I thought you might find this very unique story of interest. Here is what David wrote to me:

Hi Adam,

I just had my calcified aortic bicuspid valve replaced with an Edwards Lifesciences pericardial (bovine) valve on October 28, 2009. I also had a single mammary bypass for a calcified lesion in my LAD coronary artery. I am 69 years old. I think I have a little different perspective on all this as I worked for and retired from Edwards Lifesciences, the world’s largest heart valve manufacturer, after 33 years employment.

David Swendson With Dr. Bethencourt - Discharge Day!

I was a product development engineer starting work at Edwards in 1965 when it was a very small company. I worked on the earlier Starr-Edwards prosthetic heart valves and later, on all sorts of other heart related products.

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