California commissioner

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi successfully underwent surgery to repair a leaking mitral valve in his heart. He is currently recuperating from the surgery.

Surgeons who performed the mitral valve repair on Garamendi for five hours said his prognosis for recovery is “full and complete,” and the Commissioner should return to his normal routine after a relatively short recovery period.

Garamendi, 61, is one of three people running for the Democratic nomination to succeed Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, who is barred by term limits from seeking a third term.

The mitral valve, a parachute-like valve on the left side of the heart, keeps blood from flowing backward into the lungs.

California Department of Insurance Spokesman Byron Tucker said Garamendi was herding cattle and repairing fences at his ranch near the Gold Rush town of Mokelumne Hill in Calaveras County when he felt some discomfort. His family took him to the hospital, and Garamendi was able to walk into the hospital under his own power.

“Mr. Garamendi should have a 100 percent recovery,” said Dr. Allen Morris, chief of the division of cardiovascular surgery at the medical center where the surgery took place. “We have fully repaired his mitral valve and completely eliminated any leakage. Mr. Garamendi should have no impairment to his complete recovery.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.