Interesting findings regarding moderate to vigorous exercise related to heart valve conditions: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae406/7702752?login=false#google_vignette ...Read more
Interesting findings regarding moderate to vigorous exercise related to heart valve conditions: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae406/7702752?login=false#google_vignette
I have aortic stenosis and likely either a bicuspid valve or a valve where two flaps have fused together. I am in the watchful waiting process with echos every ...Read more
I have aortic stenosis and likely either a bicuspid valve or a valve where two flaps have fused together. I am in the watchful waiting process with echos every year and I am in the moderate close to severe rating. I had a second opinion via a virtual visit with a heart valve surgeon that appears on this site often. At my last visit with my regular cardiologist, I asked if he had reviewed the report of the second opinion and he had but gave it very little consideration. He said that when it came time for surgery, he highly suggested I use the local surgeon he recommends. He stated that patients that decide to go out of state to some of the more well known centers, will have trouble getting assistance from cardiologists back in their home state as they won't be willing to take on potential problems created by another out of state surgeon. Just wondering if those that have gone out of state to get heart valve surgery have encountered any issues with getting assistance from their local doctors if necessary.
Valerie Allen Hmm never heard that one before though have no experience with it yet. Personally I would be concern ... Read more
Valerie Allen Hmm never heard that one before though have no experience with it yet. Personally I would be concerned if my cardiologist gave very little consideration to the opinion of a well-known center’s surgeon.
DeWayne Adamson It took quite a bit to get my cardiologist on board. They want their group surgeon's to get the work ... Read more
DeWayne Adamson It took quite a bit to get my cardiologist on board. They want their group surgeon's to get the work. When I asked if there was anyone local as good as Eric Roselli he acquiesced and gave me his blessing.
George Gardopee I have not encountered that issue. In fact, my local cardiologist highly recommended the out-of-state ... Read more
George Gardopee I have not encountered that issue. In fact, my local cardiologist highly recommended the out-of-state surgeon I ultimately selected. The issue your cardiologist mentioned may be related to the aggregation of local surgeons and cardiologists into larger “practices” that like to keep all the business in-house, so to speak. If nothing else, most of us would recommend getting a second opinion from a high-volume center that specializes in the surgery you require.
DeWayne Adamson The other thing they say is that the out of towners are shipped back home so they are not included in ... Read more
DeWayne Adamson The other thing they say is that the out of towners are shipped back home so they are not included in the stats. That's just not true. Cleveland Clinic stats include all patients.
Deena Z Interesting, Mike. I did have a cardiologist tell me something similar. —Pretty old school and dep... Read more
Deena Z Interesting, Mike. I did have a cardiologist tell me something similar. —Pretty old school and deplorable. Essentially, he said if I I got my OHS at a different hospital and then had problems and had to go to their ER, I would not get as fast treatment, etc. Something about not wanting bad outcomes/stats, due to some other hospital's treatment. There are so many holes in this statement I will not even start. Regardless, You need to go to the best surgeon. The surgeon is your number one priority. Furthermore, that same cardiologist that told me about this "issue" now includes my out-of-state surgeon on his referral list. So he changed his mind .
Jennifer Fuller Deena, that’s bonkers! I stayed in town because my case is not especially complicated and I thought ... Read more
Jennifer Fuller Deena, that’s bonkers! I stayed in town because my case is not especially complicated and I thought I’d be more comfortable at home. But if I wanted to go elsewhere for surgery I would still expect a high-level of care from my regular docs! What about people who have surgery, then need to move to a different city?
Deena Z Jennifer, good point! I think this relates to the 3 months post-surgery, whereby surgeons and thei ... Read more
Deena Z Jennifer, good point! I think this relates to the 3 months post-surgery, whereby surgeons and their respective hospitals follow their patients and report their patient outcomes (e.g, ER admissions, infections, mortality, strokes etc). This information is used for ranking hospitals and surgeons, for accreditation, etc. As DeWayne said above, when reporting is done correctly, the post-surgical outcomes are linked to where the surgery took place, so should not be to the detriments of any other doctor and hospital. You will get a survey to complete after 3 months. - 3rd party.
Rose Madura Mike, all good advice above. My two cents is that YOU are the one who makes the decisions regarding y ... Read more
Rose Madura Mike, all good advice above. My two cents is that YOU are the one who makes the decisions regarding your heart surgeon. Go with the best. Godspeed.
Grace Mason My cardiologist was on board and even encouraged me to consider highly ranked surgical centers. I thi ... Read more
Grace Mason My cardiologist was on board and even encouraged me to consider highly ranked surgical centers. I think that is so wrong of doctors to discourage patients from getting other opinions and considering other facilities. I agree with many who have already posted. Don't let local groups discourage you from seeking the best care for you.❤️ I went out of town for my surgery and have been admitted locally for a pleural effusion post surgery. I felt well cared for locally in both the ER and the hospital. I would hope the doctors treat you based on your symptoms and needs and nothing more.
Pamela Gregory If your local cardiologist isn't supportive of whatever decision you make, find a new one no matter w ... Read more
Pamela Gregory If your local cardiologist isn't supportive of whatever decision you make, find a new one no matter what
Adam:
I am a 58 year old male in fairly good health. Four years ago after having an Echocardiogram, I was diagnosed as having a bicuspid aortic valve with some ...Read more
Adam:
I am a 58 year old male in fairly good health. Four years ago after having an Echocardiogram, I was diagnosed as having a bicuspid aortic valve with some stenosis. It was considerd in the mild range. Two years ago another Echo showed basically no change. It has been two years and I am going for another Echo this week. Over the past couple of months my blood pressure has been higher than normal about half of the time I have checked it (130-150 over 80 - 90). About half the time it is in the normal range. Also, I almost always have high “white coat” blood pressure when checked at a doctor’s office. This background leads to three questions:
1) I have read scholarly medical articles discussing how blood pressure can indirectly affect the assessment of aortic stenosis severity through concomitant changes in transvalvular flow. Have you ever had a discussion with cardiologists about this issue and can you offer any input?
2) Is an echocardiogram a sufficient diagnostic tool for someone monitoring mild aortic stenosis with a bicuspid aortic valve? Or should I be pushing for another diagnostic tool?
3) I have been using the same large medical practice for many years where cardiologists seem to come and go. I am about an hour and a half from Dr. Kevin Accola’s office. Given my “mild stenosis,” would it be too premature to consult with Dr. Accola?
Thanks,
Mike
Darren Ketchley If you have any doubts or a gut feeling there not on the ball get another opinion. I have found some ... Read more
Darren Ketchley If you have any doubts or a gut feeling there not on the ball get another opinion. I have found some cardiologists quite dis interested. This is youre life and youre health and its priceless. I was lost in the medical system and not followed up. I believe my OHS was too late and ended up with life changing complications leaving me bitter and angry. Hope you get the attention you need.
Interesting findings regarding moderate to vigorous exercise related to heart valve conditions:
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae406/7702752?login=false#google_vignette ...Read more
Interesting findings regarding moderate to vigorous exercise related to heart valve conditions:
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae406/7702752?login=false#google_vignette