Cardiology Patient Stories

After weathering a stroke and heart valve replacement, the prospect for Ashley Zimmerman to fulfill her dream of becoming a mom seemed dim. But with guidance and care from Mayo Clinic specialists, now Ashley is looking forward to celebrating her first Mother's Day with her baby boy.

A suspicious finding during a routine physical led to a diagnosis of coronary artery disease for Mark Guthrie. Heart surgery quickly followed, and now the longtime track and field coach is back to work and feeling great.

When Mat Walker had a device implanted to aid his failing heart, it was just the beginning of a long road to better health. But a host of Mayo Clinic care providers assembled to assist Mat as he worked toward his recovery goals.

When Kim Russell was born in 1960 with a congenital heart defect, doctors weren't optimistic about her survival. Today, thanks to the individualized care and personal support of her Mayo Clinic team, Kim has exceeded all expectations.

When Stephanie Van Doren came to Mayo Clinic, she never expected to learn she had a genetic defect that raised her risk for a potentially fatal heart condition. But thanks to her physician's all-inclusive approach, Stephanie and her family now have information they need to live life to the fullest.

When Sarah Bopp began having shortness of breath and chest pain, she was surprised to learn that the problem was a heart condition that could have taken her life. But now open-heart surgery at Mayo Clinic has the 29-year-old back in competition and more fit than ever.

When James Tembrock was told he needed surgery to replace his aortic valve, he wanted to find a medical center where he could have the procedure done using a minimally invasive approach. That search led James to Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Two Mayo Clinic cardiologists are part of a medical team that provides badly needed care to people in one of South America's poorest countries.

With prompt medical attention and expert care, Dave Andros survived sudden cardiac arrest. Now he's eager to share his story with others to promote heart health.

When Mark Gill came to Mayo Clinic, he was in severe pain and his medical condition was grim. But thanks to a thorough evaluation and comprehensive care, Mark was able to regain his health.

Brian Schilling was shocked to learn he had a dangerous condition that required surgery to repair one of his heart valves. But the procedure went off without a hitch, and Brian's grateful for the thorough care he received through Mayo Clinic Health System.

A host of serious medical concerns were making daily life a challenge for Robert Watts. Comprehensive care at Mayo Clinic helped him tackle each of them and successfully restored his health.