Uphill Climb: Regaining Strength and Stamina After Heart Valve Repair

Megan Susko was a fit, healthy 64-year-old in 2023 when an unexpected heart issue brought her to the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin heart and vascular team.

If anything, she was an overachiever when it came to her health. She walked 12,000 steps daily and practiced yoga, Pilates and weight training. But an urgent care visit for a sinus infection revealed a heart murmur — an abnormal sound that occurs between normal beats of the heart. The urgent care doctor recommended a follow-up echocardiogram.

Megan figured it was going to be a fluke. She had no symptoms. Besides, she was a busy woman. Her daughter was getting married in November, and she and her husband, John, had a trip to Hawaii planned shortly after. But the echocardiogram indicated a damaged mitral valve, the valve that sits between the left heart chambers and keeps blood from leaking backwards into the lungs.

Although Megan had hoped her problem would go away on its own, her doctor said she needed a surgical procedure.

“I kept hearing from the cardiologist how serious this was and how I’d have to see a surgeon,” Megan said. “He said, ‘You can’t wait.’”

Mitral Valve Repair Procedure and Cardiac Rehabilitation

A neighbor recommended she see Paul Pearson, MD, PhD, cardiothoracic surgeon and MCW faculty member. He reaffirmed what others said. Megan needed the valve repaired as soon as possible to prevent her heart from enlarging and being permanently damaged.

“The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart,” Dr. Pearson said. “Normally the heart squeezes oxygenated blood from the lungs, which passes through the left atrium into the left ventricle. The mitral valve keeps the blood from flowing backwards into the lungs when the heart contracts. Megan had several torn cords on the mitral valve closing mechanism. The ventricle would fill with blood from the lungs and her heart would squeeze, but the posterior flap was unsupported and a large amount of blood would travel backwards.”

According to Dr. Pearson, this problem is typically treated with surgery. Younger patients like Megan are often candidates for a mitral valve repair procedure, which can restore functionality to the heart and bring patients back to their previous levels of health. Older candidates may be better served by a valve replacement, which uses animal tissue or metal valves that require monitoring or blood thinners to achieve successful outcomes.

Megan had the surgery in December 2023 to repair her mitral valve. Afterwards, she began cardiac rehabilitation with the Froedtert & MCW team. Katie Zietlow, RN, cardiac rehabilitation, oversaw her care.

“Thanks to Megan’s prior fitness levels, she was already several steps ahead of a typical heart patient,” Zietlow said. “But she needed a mixture of education about her recovery and exercise. All patients are monitored during their activities for irregular heartbeats and other issues.

“With each person, our goal is different. We work to get them to a place where they feel comfortable.”

In Megan’s case, that meant pushing the exercise envelope. She wanted to complete the 2024 American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb, so she worked on a treadmill at a 10% incline to prepare for the event. She successfully participated, coming in fourth in her age group.

“Cardiac rehabilitation is an integral piece of the recovery puzzle,” Dr. Pearson said. “Studies show that patients who do cardiac rehabilitation have a survival advantage. Even people as fit as Megan should be monitored to ensure they’re pushing themselves appropriately as they work to regain their strength and stamina.”

A Comprehensive Approach to Recovery

Through the Froedtert & MCW multidisciplinary approach, Megan received comprehensive care throughout the surgery and recovery process. The heart and vascular team regularly cares for people with complex conditions and consults with other experts as needed to develop a treatment plan for an optimal outcome.

“Patients are often referred to us because of our high level of specialization,” Dr. Pearson said. “We have a big toolbox of different treatments, and we work together to determine the right care for each patient.”

As for Megan, she’s back to her regular activities. The wedding was beautiful. Hawaii was amazing. Now she’s training for the 2026 Air Climb.

“Life is busy,” she said. “You can’t plan when to have surgeries or health issues. You just have to fit them in somehow. I am happy this turned out so well.”

Mitral valve disease can be caused by a number of factors and each person’s valve may be affected differently. Our program has the expertise to treat all types of valve disease. Call 414-777-7700 for an appointment. Learn more at froedtert.com/mitral-valve.