Cardiology Patient Stories

Ron Klancher was having trouble controlling an irregular heartbeat. But by working at it together, Ron and his care providers were able to devise a way to effectively treat his atrial fibrillation.

When persistent fatigue began to slow down Ricardo Henriquez, an evaluation at Mayo Clinic revealed he needed surgery to fix his heart valves and correct an irregular heartbeat. The procedure also allowed him to again pursue his passion for golf. 

Surgery to replace a failing heart valve restored Dorothy Ganong's quality of life and gave her back the ability to engage in an active lifestyle.

After a heart transplant and two months of cardiovascular rehabilitation, Mischa Melby has finally joined her classmates out on the playground.

Teamwork and careful planning allowed for successful surgery to treat a congenital heart defect in an infant who, for religious reasons, could not receive blood transfusions or blood products.

When congestive heart failure led to the need for a heart transplant, Vincent Arnold turned to Mayo Clinic. The care he received took all his medical concerns into account, providing him a way to return to better health.

As part of a pioneering clinical trial, Jared Ausnehmer had millions of stem cells injected into his heart to help treat a debilitating heart condition. That treatment has opened the door to renewed health for Jared.

Six years ago, increased fatigue led Matt Rohrer to Mayo Clinic, where doctors told him his heart’s mitral valve had a severe leak. Today, after robot-assisted heart surgery, Matt is back to enjoying his busy family lifestyle.

Diagnosed with a severe heart condition, Hal Stahl turned to Mayo Clinic, where an expert on the rare disease offered Hal a unique treatment alternative that made all the difference.

Sarah Bradley's heart failed when she was only 27 years old. Today, after more than two years living with the assistance of a device that kept her blood flowing and her health stable, she’s the grateful recipient of a new heart.

Kraig Gresham was 47 years old when he received his heart transplant, but his journey to that life-changing surgery began years earlier. Kraig was born with aortic stenosis — a birth defect that causes heart valves to narrow and obstruct blood flow. As a child he had heart problems as a result of his condition. Despite that, Kraig was able to lead an active lifestyle, participating in sports like soccer and racquetball from the time he was young. As an adult, Kraig knew he would eventually need a valve replacement due to his chronic heart condition. But when he began having bronchitis-like symptoms in his 40s, he was referred to Mayo Clinic with a more immediate problem: he was experiencing heart failure.

In April 2005, nine months after retiring from his job as assistant superintendent of Osseo School District in Maple Grove, Minnesota, James Boddie had a heart attack while riding his bike in Florida. When he arrived by helicopter at a local hospital in Bonita Springs, he was told he had 100 percent blockage in his arteries. James had no history of heart disease — at least none that he knew of. “They did a catheterization and implanted two stents, which saved my life,” he says.