12:00a.m. 1st April 2008

| By Sam Benger

Sunshine Coast sportswoman and mother of three Lisa Curry-Kenny could be home as early as today after undergoing emergency heart surgery in Brisbane yesterday.

The triple Olympian was suffering from an irregular and erratic heartbeat, a condition known as myocarditis, which, left unchecked, could have resulted in a heart attack.

Doctors believed her heart muscle suffered injury from a viral infection which may have been compounded by a rigorous training program.

Photo Gallery: Lisa Curry-Kenny

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Lisa's husband Grant told the Daily yesterday that his wife had successfully undergone a 90-minute operation to implant a cardioverter-defibrillator, which can identify and correct a dangerous, rapid heart rhythm by applying a shock to the heart.

“(The) procedure was part of ongoing treatment for a heart condition,” Grant said. “It went well and she’s now in recovery.”

Lisa will have the defibrillator for the rest of her life.

Father-in-law Hayden Kenny said he believed Lisa could be discharged from hospital as early as today, but a spokesman for the family said it could be a few days before the former Olympian was back at her Minyama Island home.

Mr Kenny said his grandchildren, Jaimi, Morgan and Jett, were preparing for their mum’s homecoming.

He said Lisa would want to get back to a relatively normal lifestyle as soon as possible. “It’s one of those things where they will want to get back to a normal lifestyle, although obviously she’ll have some activity restrictions,” he said.

Doctors said Lisa would be under strict orders to rest completely for at least three months. Her heart would be monitored regularly to ensure the defibrillator was working properly.

Before the surgery, Lisa said she would deal with her condition “as I have always approached big challenges – one step at a time”.

“Right now I’m just trying to walk my talk and stay positive,” she said.

“This is something I never thought would happen to me. The risk of cardiac arrest is very small but unpredictable and I’m not prepared to jeopardise my life for that small risk,” she said.

Lisa retired as National Australia Day Council chairwoman this year.

She is scheduled to receive her Order of Australia medal from the Governor-General in Canberra next week.