How Wolverhampton surgeons saved life of man given just months to live
A grateful dad who underwent major open-heart surgery after being told he only had a few months left to live has vowed to continue raising money for the Wolverhampton hospital which saved his life.
Father-of-two Jon Madden was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve 12 years ago at the age of 37.
He was tested after his father received the same diagnosis when he was 70-years-old.
The condition, which is present from birth, occurs when the aortic valve only has two flaps instead of the usual three, which can result in problems later in life.
Following the diagnosis, Jon was told by Consultant Cardiologist Professor James Cotton at New Cross Hospital that he would need an aortic valve replacement in seven years time.
The 49-year-old, who is from Wolverhampton, said: "I have always been into my fitness and had no symptoms of a heart problem, so I was very shocked to receive the diagnosis.
"I had to go back to the Heart and Lung Centre at New Cross Hospital every 12 months for a check-up. As Professor Cotton predicted, when I was 44 my valve changed dramatically, and I was told I had senile aortic calcification and I needed an aortic valve replacement urgently."
