Life has a way of testing us when we least expect it. For Val Kovalenko, a 39-year-old husband and father of five from Charlotte, North Carolina, that test came in the most unexpected and terrifying form: a sudden cardiac arrest while swimming at his local gym.
Val is a seasoned athlete who thrives on endurance challenges. He had been training diligently for an Ultraman triathlon – a grueling 321-mile race that includes a 6.2-mile swim, a 261.4-mile bike ride, and a 52.4-mile run. But on an ordinary day in December, during what was supposed to be a routine swim at Lifetime Fitness in Charlotte, his heart had other plans.
It was a quiet afternoon at the gym when Val hit the water, focused on the task at hand: another training session to prepare for his February race. The pool, with its rhythmic splashes and echoes, was a familiar place – a sanctuary of sorts. But halfway through his swim, something went terribly wrong. Without warning, Val lost consciousness and began to sink.
Fate, however, had placed two lifesavers nearby.
Heroes in the Right Place at the Right Time
At the pool that day were a nurse and a retired combat medic – two individuals whose quick thinking and lifesaving skills would make all the difference. Seeing Val in distress, they sprang into action. The retired medic pulled Val from the water, and together with the nurse, they performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived.
“When someone experiences cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, every second counts,” says Dr. Sherry Saxonhouse, Medical Director of cardiac electrophysiology at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and American Heart Association Board President.
“Immediate CPR can be the difference between life and death. It’s critical that more people are trained in these lifesaving measures. American Heart Association Nation of Lifesavers initiative aims to teach CPR to everyone, turning all bystanders into lifesavers through CPR and AED education and awareness. Effective immediate CPR improves out of hospital survival from 10% to 40%.”
Val was rushed to the hospital, where a team from Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute took over his care. Diagnosed with a heart attack and cardiac arrest, Val’s athletic prowess and endurance mindset were put to a different kind of test – recovery and acceptance.
The Reality Check That Changed Everything
One of the most pivotal moments in Val’s recovery journey came during a conversation with Michelle Ross, a physician assistant at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. Known for her compassionate yet direct approach, Ross delivered a message Val needed to hear but hadn’t yet accepted: his dream of completing the Ultraman race was over.
“Michelle was very frank with me,” Val recalls. “She told me that I needed to let go of this idea of the Ultraman. She said, ‘Your heart has been through a lot, and continuing to push it like that could be fatal.’”
For someone who had built much of his identity around endurance sports, those words were difficult to hear. But they sparked a shift in Val’s perspective – a realization that life is not about how far you can push your body but about cherishing the moments you have with the people you love.
“Heart attacks can happen to anyone, even those who appear healthy and fit,” says Dr. Nyal Borges, medical director of interventional cardiology at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. “While there are risk factors we can modify, it’s important to remember that underlying genetic predispositions or undetected heart conditions can lead to serious cardiac events. That’s why routine screenings and paying attention to warning signs are crucial.”
Shifting Priorities: Family First
Val’s wife and five children have always been his biggest supporters. But after his cardiac event, he saw them through a new lens.
“My kids were terrified,” Val says. “My oldest son kept asking, ‘Are you going to be okay, Dad?’ That hit me hard. I realized that being there for them is more important than any race.”
In the weeks following his release from the hospital, Val leaned into his recovery with the same discipline he once reserved for his training. Cardiac rehabilitation became his new endurance challenge – one that emphasized balance, caution, and self-care.
“The team at Sanger was incredible,” Val says. “They made sure I understood that my heart needed time to heal and that I had to be patient with myself.”
A New Chapter, a New Mission
Val’s journey has taken him from the pool to the hospital and now back to his family’s embrace. While the Ultraman race is no longer on his calendar, he has found new purpose in sharing his story to raise awareness about heart health and the importance of knowing CPR.
“I’ve always pushed myself to be the best version of me,” Val says. “Now, that means being a present and healthy husband and father, and hopefully inspiring others to take their heart health seriously.”
Val hopes to partner with organizations to promote CPR training and heart health awareness. He believes that if more people were trained in lifesaving measures, more lives could be saved.
“I’m living proof of that,” he says. “Two people at the pool that day knew what to do, and because of them, I’m here today.”
Gratitude for a Second Chance
The journey hasn’t been easy, but Val approaches each day with a renewed sense of gratitude. He’s grateful for his wife, who stood by him during his darkest moments, for his children, who remind him daily why life is worth fighting for, and for the team at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, who guided him through his recovery.
“I’ve had to learn to slow down,” Val says. “And that’s been the hardest part. But it’s also been the most rewarding.”
As he continues to navigate his new normal, Val reflects on the lessons he’s learned. Life, he says, isn’t about the races we run or the distances we cover. It’s about the connections we make and the love we share.
“At the end of the day, I’m just grateful to be here,” Val says. “To be able to hug my kids, to sit at the dinner table with my family – that’s what matters.”
A Call to Action: Learn CPR
Val’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of CPR training. His life was saved by two individuals who knew exactly what to do in a moment of crisis. Now, he hopes to put that lifesaving knowledge forward.
“You never know when you might be in a position to save a life,” Val says. “I’m living proof that it works. If you don’t know CPR, learn it. It could mean the difference between life and death.”
Atrium Health offers CPR training and resources to help individuals be prepared in emergencies. Val encourages everyone to take advantage of these opportunities.
“I’m just one story,” he says. “But there are so many others who need help. Let’s make sure we’re ready to give it.”
“Cardiac care is not just about saving lives in the moment but also about long-term prevention,” adds Dr. Borges. “We encourage our patients to focus on lifestyle changes that reduce their risks and improve their quality of life.”
Val’s journey is far from over. While he’s put his dream of completing the Ultraman race behind him, he’s embraced a new dream: to live a long, healthy life surrounded by the people he loves.
“I’ve always believed in pushing boundaries,” he says. “Now, I’m pushing myself to be a better husband, father, and advocate for heart health. That’s my new endurance challenge – and it’s one I’m excited to take on.”
