Shock diagnosis during routine check-up: Ex-F1 driver to undergo high-risk heart surgery

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Last November, Heikki Kovalainen (42) had a thorough check-up with his doctor. And received a shocking diagnosis. Examination revealed an aortic aneurysm. This is a sac-like expansion in the vessel walls of the main artery.

He had completed a running training session the day before and was delighted with how good his body felt, the Finnish driver told Iltalehti newspaper. Kovalainen can’t do anything about it. Because it is a hereditary disease. The dangerous thing: if the aneurysm ruptures, he has virtually no chance of survival.

Not an easy situation

Therefore, any physical exertion is taboo for him. Not an easy situation for the former Formula 1 driver. Kovalainen drove 111 races in the premier class from 2007 to 2013 and celebrated his only victory in the McLaren (Hungarian GP) in 2008. In the same season, teammate Lewis Hamilton (39) became world champion for the first time. This year he wanted to participate in the Japanese rally championship. That is not happening now, although Kovalainen has no complaints.

«My goal is to ride again as soon as possible. But now it is more important that I get healthy,” he says. He and his wife Catherine only became parents to their son Emil almost a year ago.

There is a risk of the worst happening

In the winter, Kovalainen spoke to experts and traveled to Japan. They are leaning towards open heart surgery. This is associated with major risks, also because the heart is stopped during the procedure, which takes several hours. “It’s such a big operation that there is always the risk of the worst happening,” says Kovalainen. His situation is not acute, but he will not be able to avoid the procedure in the coming years. Therefore, there is no point in postponing the whole matter any longer.

The odds are good for him, says Kovalainen. And adds: “But if it turns out that I can no longer race despite the operation, then so be it.” His priority is to live a normal life again. And he wants to set a good example, because the early diagnosis probably saved his life. (beer)

Source : Blick