Cyclist back on road thanks to aortic valve expertise at CU Anschutz

Jonathan Fox happily entered his 50s with his identity, stress outlet and social life entwined in a heart-healthy activity – cycling – that would easily propel him into his golden years.

But at age 52, the unexpected happened: He had a “heart episode” in the middle of the night. He felt tightness in his chest and pain shooting into his arm and back. He went to Denver Health Medical Center, and doctors found no heart damage, calling the episode a small heart attack. Adding to the mystery was the fact that Fox was adopted, so there was no family history to trace.