Jack LaLanne, Fitness Guru, Recovering From Heart Valve Surgery

By Adam Pick on December 19, 2009

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

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!
Adam

Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder

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.

Follow 450K

Comments

New Posts From Our Community

Kate Griffith - Heart Valve Patient

Kate Griffith from
Virginia Water, United Kingdom

Hello to all of my Valve Community friends! Well, things are...

Meet Kate
Henrik Lindeberg - Heart Valve Patient

Henrik Lindeberg from
Gothenburg, Sweden

Now it is warning from the 90ties. E-Type … At that...

Meet Henrik
A B - Heart Valve Patient

A B from
Location not provided

My name is Andrew, and at 25 years old, I recently...

Meet A

Newest Community Post

Kate Griffith - Heart Valve Patient

Kate Griffith from
Virginia Water, United Kingdom

Hello to all of my Valve Community friends! Well, things are...

Meet Kate
Find Heart Valve Surgeons

Find Heart Valve Surgeons

Search 1,500 patient-recommended surgeons

The Patient's Guide

The Patient's Guide

This book has helped over 47,000 patients and caregivers from diagnosis to recovery.

Surgeon Spotlight

Dr. Chiu is a leading heart valve surgeon that has performed hundreds of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.