Rena was 58 when she learned that she had lived her whole life with a congenital heart defect — a bicuspid aortic valve. Determination and a positive attitude helped her face an uncertain future and eventual open-heart surgery.

Len never gave up hope. Cancer treatment had left his faulty aortic valve with further damage, and surgery to replace the valve was considered risky.

Shirley had already been through one valve replacement. Now, in her 80s, that valve was failing. Would a transcatheter procedure be right for her?

Kathy Howes couldn’t get an explanation for her dizziness, fainting and racing heartbeats — until a test revealed she needed urgent valve surgery.

After he was diagnosed with valve disease, Dave Smith urges his friends to ask their doctors for a stethoscope check.

An Ironman participant, Fabio had to take a break from sport because he needed heart surgery but it didn't take him long to get back in the race.

Ruth had open heart surgery at age nine, then again almost 50 years later. She shares a lifetime’s experience with valve disease.

John Stott learned his heart condition needed urgent treatment. Ten weeks post-surgery he was back at work and had a new perspective on life.