Andrew Lerud: Cardiac Valve

Andrew had an active childhood, involved in basketball, football and other sports. As a young adult, his energy level declined, leaving him with continuous exhaustion.

“I would come home from work, take a nap for a couple hours, get up and try to be active and then I would go to bed early and get as much sleep as possible to make it through the next day,” said Andrew.

For years, doctors thought he had asthma; at age 20 he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. Andrew’s energy continued to decline, which he attributed to CPA exam studies while working. His aunt recommended he visit the Minneapolis Heart Institute®.

Andrew consulted with Dr. Marc Newell and learned he had a bicuspid aortic valve that required surgery because of aortic stenosis. Dr. Frazier Eales replaced his aortic valve with a mechanical one, and he made a full recovery. Andrew returned to exercising and is engaged to be married this year; he and his fiancée hope for a long life together.

Paying it Forward

Andrew chose to become a donor to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation® through his employer Bell Bank’s “Pay It Forward” program.

“I was so impressed with the level of expertise, care and treatment I received from everyone at MHI®,” said Andrew. “Given the chance to give back to them is something that I continue to look forward to doing. Prior to my heart surgery, an organization such as MHIF would not have crossed my mind. Since then, awareness of heart conditions has become a cause I care deeply about.”

Your support helps MHIF provide better options to people like Andrew.