As previously mentioned, my event occurred after cycle (cyclocross) race. I recently found out that coach had a mitral valve replacement in 1998. He continued to ski and cycle, including doing sportives, culminating in the Etape du Tour (a stage of the Tour de France!) and followed on to compete at cycle time trials. With the aim of cycling 25 miles in one hour!, which he did.
He then wrote a book about it, which is for cycling geeks really, but an inspirational journey , which was definitely not about the bike.
So,the message I got was life wasn't over, just a different reality.
Aortic valve replacement 
Calcified mitral valve
Mitral Valve Repair
Mitral heart valve
