Jennifer's Profile

I have been participating in endurance events since 2012. However, after completing an Ironman race in 2021, my resting heart rate was in the low 40s, which concerned my doctor who refered me to a cardiologist. Eventually I underwent an eccocardiogram in December of 2022 which showed an enlarged ascending aorta and a bi-cuspid aortic valve. I was sent to a surgeon who diagnosed me with the 2 congenital conditions. Due to the size of my aorta I had to undergo surgery in June and had my ascending aorta replaced. During the surgery it was found that my aortic valve was worse than the scans had suggested, moving me from a mild issue to a severe. The surgeon subsquently repaired my aortic valve. I am currently in cardio-therapy but have been told that I may not be able to return to my endurance events.