“Three weeks ago I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair my aortic root,” Black wrote on Instagram.
“My ‘incompetent’ bicuspid aortic valve was discovered when I was 11 years old and for the last 47 years I have been looked after by the cardiac team at Southampton General Hospital.
Despite living with the heart issue, Black had a hugely successful athletics career, coming second in the men’s 400m at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 behind USA superstar Michael Johnson.
Roger Black, who won Olympic silver in the 400m for Great Britain, has revealed he had open heart surgery last month.
It was a shock but deep down I knew this day would come even though I never allowed my heart disease to define me and prevent me from pursuing my athletic career.”.
