Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 17
COVID-19 Surgeon Roundtable: An International Perspective
By Adam Pick on March 20, 2020
If you are curious to know what leading heart surgeons are saying about COVID-19, you may want to watch this insightful video series, “COVID-19: An International Perspective”.
5 Reasons We Are “Social Distancing” to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
By Adam Pick on March 17, 2020
I’m not a “doomsdayer”. I’m not a pessimist. And, I’m not a hoarder.
However… Since last Thursday, Robyn (my wife), Ethan (my son), and I have done our best to stay home as much as possible.
Patient Webinar Postponed: Advances in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Treatment
By Adam Pick on March 11, 2020
March 16, 2020 Webinar Update: Given the recent developments specific to COVID-19, we will need to postpone our webinar, “Advances in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Therapy” that was scheduled for this Wednesday, March 18. I will send you a follow-up email with the new day and time once I know those details.
Great news!
I’m happy to announce that our LIVE and FREE patient education events will continue next Wednesday, March 18, with a special “Advances in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Treatment” webinar. Featured speakers include Dr. Chris Malaisrie, cardiac surgeon and co-director of the Bicuspid Aortic Valve Program at Northwestern Medicine, and Dr. Jyothy Puthumana, cardiologist and co-director of the Bicuspid Aortic Valve Program at Northwestern Medicine.
New Patient Resource: Coronavirus, COVID-19 & Heart Disease
By Adam Pick on March 7, 2020
Over the past few weeks, I have received several important questions about coronavirus, COVID-19 and heart valve disease. For that reason, I just started a new educational resource dedicated to the coronavirus at this link.
Considering that we are learning more-and-more about COVID-19 every day, my hope is that this new resource will be continually updated with answers to your questions by leading doctors who specialize in infection control, cardiology and heart surgery. Ultimately, the goal of this page is to educate and empower you specific to the management and treatment of heart valve disease given the spread of COVID-19.
10-Year Heart Surgery Anniversary Reunion in Florida!
By Adam Pick on February 27, 2020
My heart warms anytime the patients in our community connect in person. I love seeing their smiling faces. I love seeing their hugs. I love knowing that their friendships continue into the future as their valve disease fades to the past.
We Raise Heart Valve Disease Awareness to 596,000 People in One Day!
By Adam Pick on February 27, 2020
Amazing! Double Amazing! Triple Amazing!
I am happy to report that the HeartValveSurgery.com community united and rallied like never before on National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day. Thanks to your 5,000+ social media shares of this public service announcement, we reached over 596,000 people in just twenty-four hours last Saturday.
Today Is National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day!!!
By Adam Pick on February 22, 2020
Woo-Whoo!!! Today is National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day! Let’s join together to raise awareness to this under-diagnosed, under-treated and deadly form of heart disease!!!
To get started… Here are several amazing men and women in our community who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of healthy heart valves.
“Ask Adam Anything” Videos Posted from the Heart Valve Society Conference!
By Adam Pick on February 20, 2020
Great news! As we continue to celebrate “Heart Month”, I am very happy to share that the Facebook LIVE videos from the “Ask Adam Anything” patient event have been posted below!
As you might recall… These Facebook LIVE sessions were filmed in direct response to patient questions submitted at HeartValveSurgery.com, our Facebook Page and by email. In total, I received over 150 patient questions about heart valve disease.
To answer your questions, I met with world-renowned surgeons, cardiologists and researchers at the Heart Valve Society Conference in Abu Dhabi. Our expert panel included Dr. Rakesh Suri (Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi), Dr. Martin Leon (Columbia University), Dr. Vinod Thourani (Piedmont Health), Dr. Hanneke Takkenberg (Erasmus University), Dr. Marc Gillinov (Cleveland Clinic), and Dr. James Thomas (Northwestern Medicine).
Get Your Questions Answered on Facebook LIVE at the Heart Valve Society Conference!!!
By Adam Pick on February 13, 2020
You’ve got questions! Let me get the answers!
That’s right. Simply email me your questions about heart valve disease and/or treatment. I’ll get them answered by expert surgeons and cardiologists at the Heart Valve Society Conference during our Facebook LIVE sessions this Saturday. You can email your questions to adam@heartvalvesurgery.com or post your questions below.
After Massive Heart Attack, Mitral Regurgitation Diagnosis & MitraClip, David Dances Again!
By Adam Pick on February 6, 2020
First, he suffered a massive heart attack. Then, he was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation. He struggled to breathe. He was afraid.
Then… David Lugo, a father and mechanic from Chicago, heard about the COAPT clinical trial offered at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This unique research study investigated how the MitraClip could help patients like David. This is his story.
“Can Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Hurt My New Heart Valve Replacement?” asks Toni
By Adam Pick on February 6, 2020
Toni just sent me a very important question about breast cancer, radiation therapy and heart valve replacements. Toni asked me, “Hi Adam – I have an artificial mitral valve. I just found out that I have breast cancer. Will radiation hurt my new valve replacement? Thanks, Toni”
Website Update: Community Notification System Upgraded!
By Adam Pick on February 6, 2020
Many thanks to Phyllis and Catie for letting me know about the notification issue they recently experienced when using our Community!
Technology Update: Can a “Leadless” Pacemaker Fix a Leaking Heart Valve?
By Adam Pick on January 27, 2020
I just received a fascinating question from Shae about leadless pacemakers and leaking heart valves.
Shae asked me, “Hi Adam – I previously had a mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair. I currently have a 7-year old pacemaker that is causing my tricuspid valve to leak. My electrophysiologist doctor has been talking to me about “leadless” pacemakers. I don’t know much about leadless pacers. The doctor says there is a 50/50 chance that a leadless pacemaker will correct my leaking valve. Is that correct? I don’t want to go through another valve replacement surgery as I am only 43 years old. Thanks, Shae”
After Heart Surgery… John, His Robe & His Yellow Socks Inspire 4,700 Facebook Likes!
By Adam Pick on January 14, 2020
Thanks to John O’Neill, the new year could not have started any better for our community.
That’s right! John, who was diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation, had successful aortic valve replacement last week. It’s interesting to note that John had a bicuspid aortic valve and was completely asymptomatic. It was also great to hear that John caught the disease as his left ventricle had already started to enlarge. Yikes!
Top 15 Heart Valve Posts of 2019
By Adam Pick on December 30, 2019
Woo-Whoo! 2019 was another AMAZING year for our community!
The past 12 months was full of patient education, patient inspiration, patient empowerment and patient advocacy. Thanks to your wonderful support, the stories posted here were shared over 100,000 times across social media. That means you helped raise awareness to millions of people about heart valve disease, a fatal disorder that is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Thank you!!!
TAVR or SAVR: Which Operation Did Jim Get For Aortic Stenosis?
By Adam Pick on December 16, 2019
With the FDA approval of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for low-risk patients, people everywhere are wondering whether-or-not TAVR is right for them.
Jim Whitney, from Chicago, Illinois, is a perfect example. Diagnosed with aortic stenosis, Jim had been in “watchful waiting” for five years. Recently, Jim found himself completely out-of-breath as he ran to catch a train. He knew it was time for surgery. Jim pressed his surgeon, Dr. Chris Malaisrie, an aortic valve specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, for a non-invasive TAVR.
Did Jim get a TAVR? Or, did Jim get a surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)? What should you know about TAVR and SAVR? Watch this video to learn more.
My Lucky 14th Heart Valve Surgery Anniversary!
By Adam Pick on December 16, 2019
It is hard to believe that 14 years ago this Saturday, December 21, 2005, I was being rolled into an operating room for my heart valve surgery at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.
As I sit and reflect on the past 14 years, I take a deep breath. I take another deep breath. I then stare at my monitor, hands on keyboard and wait for my fingertips to start tip-tip-tapping away.
Peloton Instructor, Robin Arzon, Sends Empowering Message to Heart Valve Patients!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: December 12, 2019
I guess you could say that I’m somewhat addicted to our Peloton bike.
In this community… I’m not alone. After sharing this post, I heard from many of you about our mutual love for this fitness craze.
Doctor Q&A: 6 Important Questions About Mitral Valve Surgery
By Adam Pick on December 3, 2019
My inbox is filling up with great questions about mitral valve disease and treatment. Lisa is asking about minimally invasive surgery and pain. Barbara asked me about the use of drugs to treat mitral valve disease and heart failure. And… Charles wants to know about cardiac rehab after mitral valve surgery.
“Does High Altitude Impact Your Heart?” asks Mario
By Adam Pick on November 21, 2019
I just received a great question from Mario about heart function, potential symptoms and high altitudes. In his email, Mario asked me, “Hi Adam – I have a question about my heart. I just got back from Lake Tahoe, California. I was in the casino and noticed that I was getting short of breath. Is altitude something I should worry about? Does altitude impact heart valve function? Thanks! Mario”.
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