On Top of the World

St. Jude Medical Heart Valve Recipient Conquers Mount Everest

Veronika Meyer, a Swiss woman with a St. Jude Medical® mechanical heart valve, reached the top of Mount Everest in May 2007 on her fifth courageous attempt! She is believed to be the only person with a replacement heart valve ever to conquer Mount Everest, as well as the “Seven Summits” – the highest mountains on each of the world’s continents.

• Read the article about Veronika published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune
• Read Veronika's 2007 journal
• View photos from the 2007 climb

Everest: A Formidable Foe

Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 29,035 feet, proved to be Veronika’s toughest challenge. In four previous attempts, Veronika had to turn back before reaching her goal. In 2002 Veronika became ill before reaching Base Camp. In 2003 and 2005, dangerous weather conditions kept Veronika from the summit, and in 2006 she became ill very early in her journey. Reaching the top of Mount Everest was especially rewarding because of her prior experiences!

• Read about Veronika’s 2005 Mount Everest climb
• Read about Veronika’s 2003 Mount Everest climb

Fighting Heart Disease

Veronika was diagnosed with aortic valve disease at the age of 23 and received a St. Jude Medical mechanical heart valve in 1997. An avid mountaineer, this fiercely determined 56-year-old chemist has refused to let heart disease defeat her. She continues to pursue her passion for mountain climbing, reaching the top of five of the Seven Summits since her heart valve replacement surgery a decade ago.

• Learn about heart valve replacement
• Learn about St. Jude Medical mechanical heart valves
• Read Veronika's medical success story