Heart Surgery Helps Marathon Runner Go the Distance

At 70, Ernst Steffen had every reason to believe his heart was stronger than ever. An avid runner with 139 marathons under his belt, Ernst was proud of his active and healthy lifestyle. But when chest pain set in during a routine run a couple years ago, he found himself on the sidelines.  

“I started running in 2003 and immediately fell in love with it,” Ernst says. “I was overweight and diabetic. I thought about taking up cycling, but I love to travel, so I picked something I could do anywhere I go. My son tricked me into entering my first 5K race. 10 days later, I ran another 5K—and the rest is history. I’ve lost 73 pounds since then.” 

In 2023, Ernst was at Saint Luke’s North Hospital being treated for a prostate condition when doctors discovered he had a slight heart murmur. A heart murmur is a whooshing or swishing sound that can be heard through a stethoscope between heart beats. It may indicate an irregularity in blood flow around your heart. He was promptly referred for evaluation by Anthony Hart, MD, structural cardiologist at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. Dr. Hart identified a narrowed aortic valve leading to the murmur, and recommended we keep a close eye on Ernst for any new symptoms.  

He kept up his healthy lifestyle and continued running marathons over the next year, until he experienced the episode of chest pain. 

“That was new for me, so I knew I needed to get it checked out,” Ernst says. 

Ernst was referred to Corinne Aberle, MD, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Aberle and the comprehensive valve team at the Heart Institute evaluated Ernst and confirmed his aortic valve had deteriorated beyond repair. This came as a surprise. Aside from his heart murmur, Ernst never noticed any heart issues in the past—certainly none that kept him from regularly running 26.2 miles. Additionally, Dr. Aberle identified coronary artery disease, which is a blockage in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. He now required not only an aortic valve replacement, but also a bypass surgery.  

“Ernst’s case highlights how important it is to listen to your body,” Dr. Aberle says. “For many people, heart symptoms may come on gradually and may seem subtle, especially in highly active individuals. Fortunately, our comprehensive team monitored Ernst closely, and we were able to intervene as soon as he displayed symptoms.”  

Despite the unexpected news, Ernst had no doubt he would be lacing up his shoes in no time. “I didn’t have any fear,” Ernst says. “I trusted Dr. Aberle. I trusted the process. I knew I would run again.”  

On Oct. 10, 2025, Dr. Aberle performed a successful cardiac bypass and valve replacement surgery to restore blood flow around Ernst’s heart. Just eight weeks later, Ernst did something that surprised himself: He ran another marathon.  

“I planned to walk it, but I did a 5K the week before and was able to run the entire time,” Ernst says. “That gave me the confidence to push through and finish my first race after heart surgery.”  

Ernst didn’t just finish the race—he clocked his fastest time in more than two years. More importantly, his heart kept up with him and gave him no issues during the entire race.  

Today, Ernst is focused on the future. He’s back to traveling and running races, and in June, he’ll take on an ambitious goal that will merge the two: 11 marathons in 11 days across 11 states. Because for Ernst, now 72, it’s not about getting back to where he was—it’s about seeing how far he can go.  

“Running changed my life,” he says. “And thanks to Dr. Aberle and her team, I get to keep doing what I love.”  

The Valve & Structural Heart Center at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treating heart valve disease.  The Center brings together a highly skilled team of cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons to provide patients the full range of high-quality surgical and transcatheter valve disease treatments. 

Get more information about our valve disease program.