In Steve Bernstein, M.D.'s neighborhood, Halloween is a fun time for children and families. Dressed in their costumes, they visit neighbors' homes; the chorus of "Trick or Treat" rings out as goodies are dropped in their bags.

Halloween 2022 was particularly remarkable for Dr. Bernstein, however. He'd undergone a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery just four days earlier but now felt well enough to join the trick-or-treaters.

Dr. Bernstein's path to this remarkable recovery started many years earlier.

An unlikely diagnosis

The 65-year-old is a urologist in Minneapolis, seeing patients with prostate, bladder or kidney conditions. Dr. Bernstein also has a passion for action, from sailboat racing to vigorous bicycling, which at times has led to an injury.

During an emergency department visit in 2015 for a broken foot, he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. Dr. Berstein was surprised. With no heart murmur symptoms, like shortness of breath, chest pain or dizziness, he had been unaware of the condition affecting his heart. The emergency department team recommended a follow-up appointment with a cardiologist.

The exam and testing by a cardiologist determined that Dr. Bernstein had aortic regurgitation and left ventricular hypertrophy. Aortic valve regurgitation causes the valve between the lower left chamber and the body's main artery to not close tightly. As a result, blood can lead backward out of the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber.

Left ventricular hypertrophy develops gradually, and some people, like Dr. Bernstein, don't have symptoms. Symptoms can develop, however, as the thickening in the heart walls makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the body effectively.

A holding pattern

After the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy, Dr. Bernstein continued with his medical practice and enthusiasm for sailing and biking. His cardiologist monitored his condition for the next seven years.

During that time, he knew he eventually would need a procedure to address the aortic stenosis. When the valve narrows, the heart must work harder to pump blood into the aorta.

In 2022, Dr. Bernstein and his cardiologist decided it was time to take action with an aortic valve replacement.

Researching the best treatment

During aortic valve replacement, a surgeon removes the damaged valve and replaces it with a mechanical valve, or one made from cow, pig or human heart tissue. The valve replacement may be done through traditional open-heart surgery, also called a midline sternotomy, which involves an incision in the middle of the chest and dividing the sternum or breastbone. A more minimally invasive method uses a smaller incision in the chest or a catheter inserted in the leg.

Bernstein began extensive research on aortic valve replacement surgery and called on his colleagues for recommendations for a cardiovascular surgeon.

"Anyone who has kidney or prostate surgery is going to have trepidation about it; there's no denying that," says Dr. Bernstein. "The trepidation before open-heart surgery is even greater, and I had some of that."

His research led him to Robert Wiechmann, M.D., at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Dr. Wiechmann and the surgery team perform a minimally invasive procedure to insert a mechanical valve through a small incision in the right chest, providing the same result as traditional open-heart surgery.

"It wasn't just that I got a thumbs up on Dr. Wiechmann, it was the credentials of the people who gave him a thumbs up," says Dr. Bernstein. "It's one thing to ask friends on Facebook, but when you talk to senior cardiac surgeons around the country, and they give a thumbs up — to me, that gives it a lot of clout."

The reputation that Dr. Wiechmann and the Mayo Clinic Health System cardiac surgery team have established around the country led Dr. Bernstein to determine he would have his surgery in Eau Claire.

"I made the decision to drive a few hundred miles to get the best possible treatment for my particular condition. I left a big city — with a big academic, highly regarded medical center — to go to the relatively small city of Eau Claire because I thought it was that important of an investment to make," he says.

Care like clockwork

After deciding to have Dr. Wiechmann perform the aortic valve replacement, Dr. Bernstein was scheduled for a pre-op physical exam and bloodwork.

"I drove to Eau Claire, and everything went like a Swiss watch. And that's very reassuring for someone who's going to have surgery," he says. "The trepidation balanced with my confidence in the surgeon, his team and the health system."

Several weeks later, Dr. Bernstein returned to Eau Claire for the surgery.

"The cardiothoracic surgery team at Mayo Clinic Health System is leading the field in bringing the latest advances in cardiac surgery to patients," says Dr. Wiechmann. "The team specializes in performing minimally invasive surgical procedures, which provide a quicker, less painful recovery to help people, like Dr. Bernstein, get back to doing the activities they enjoy sooner."

A remarkable recovery

Following the successful surgery, Dr. Bernstein was moved to the ICU.

"The pain was well-controlled; it was uncomfortable, but not horrible. I was less uncomfortable than I expected," he says.

Dr. Bernstein had been told to expect to be in the hospital for four to six days to regain strength and monitor his heart. By Sunday, just two days after surgery, he felt pretty good.

On Monday morning, Dr. Wiechmann checked on his patient and, after the exam, didn't find a reason to keep him in the hospital any longer.

"Dr. Bernstein's active lifestyle and good physical health before his surgery played a role in his rapid recovery in the hospital," says Dr. Wiechmann.

Although his inpatient stay was short, Dr. Bernstein appreciated his interactions with the care team.

"All of the touchpoints that I had when I was there were outstanding, from the nurses at the bedside managing all the tubes and fluids, the X-ray people who took my picture every morning, Dr. Wiechmann's nurse practitioner, physician assistant and the housekeeping and dietary people. All the people, without fail — everyone was professional and compassionate," says Dr. Bernstein.

The at-home preparations done in advance for his recovery, including obtaining a shower chair, turned out to be unnecessary. Showering, dressing and moving around the house proved to be easier than he had expected.

Getting back on the bike

For the next two weeks, Dr. Bernstein stayed active by walking in the local mall. Three weeks after the surgery, he was anxious to get back on his exercise bike.

Dr. Wiechmann agreed he could start slowly with a low-resistance, 20-minute ride. With no issues from the initial biking exercise, Dr. Bernstein continued to increase his activity level and duration.

By Thanksgiving weekend, just four weeks after surgery, he was ready to ride his snow bike with studded tires outside in the crisp fall weather.

Although Dr. Bernstein felt well enough to return to work after just six weeks, he took the recommended 12 weeks off. By then, he was back to 100% health with no deficiencies after the surgery and ready to rejoin his busy medical practice.

While the routine post-op follow-up visit is typically done in person at the hospital, Dr. Bernstein was able to do his post-op appointment using telehealth with Dr. Wiechmann's nurse practitioner.

"The incision is basically invisible. It looks like a plastic surgeon closed it," says Dr. Bernstein.

Going forward

Dr. Bernstein continued his heart care with his cardiologist after the surgery and recovery. A postoperative echocardiogram was performed to look at his heart and establish a new baseline. The echocardiogram showed a typical result for heart function.

"So the beginning of hypertrophy of the left ventricle has resolved, as Dr. Wiechmann suspected it would, and my heart is normal after the aortic valve replacement," says Dr. Bernstein.

"Treating complex cardiac conditions with a minimally invasive approach provides the best outcome possible for candidates of the surgery," explains Dr. Wiechmann. "The goal is to provide the highest-quality heart care for our patients."

With his background in healthcare leadership, Dr. Bernstein is experienced in evaluating care to look for opportunities to increase efficiency, decrease cost or improve patient experience.

"As I look back on my experience with heart surgery, I can't find anything to improve. I couldn't recommend Dr. Weichmann and his team more strongly for patients with surgical heart valve disease."

This article first published on the Mayo Clinic Health System blog.

The post Remarkable recovery after minimally invasive heart surgery appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am a 29-year-old active military service member without any significant health issues. Yet during my most recent routine physical examination, it was discovered that I have a heart murmur. I was referred for an echocardiogram and evaluation with a cardiologist who said I have a bicuspid aortic valve. What are the short- and long-term consequences of having a bicuspid aortic valve? At what point should a bicuspid aortic valve be treated, and what is the treatment?

ANSWER: The aortic valve sits at the base of heart, and it separates the heart's main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) and the main artery (the aorta), which carries the oxygen-rich blood to your body. It functions as a one-way valve, opening and closing with each heartbeat, which keeps the blood flowing in the correct direction. It usually consists of three flaps of tissue — what are called valve cusps. This makes the aortic valve a tricuspid valve.

Approximately 1%–2% of the population are born with an aortic valve that only has two cusps. This is called a bicuspid aortic valve. This condition is the most common heart valve defect present at birth.

Most people with a bicuspid heart valve do not have any signs and symptoms of valve disease until they are an adult, but it occasionally can cause symptoms in childhood. It most commonly is diagnosed as an incidental heart murmur during physical examination in otherwise healthy adults or discovered while a patient is having medical tests for another health condition.

A new diagnosis of a bicuspid aortic valve usually does not require immediate intervention or have significant health effects in the short- or mid-term. It does require lifelong surveillance because it may cause heart problems in the long term. Over half of patients will need aortic valve repair or replacement within 25 years after bicuspid aortic valve diagnosis.

Most commonly, the bicuspid aortic valve results in early narrowing of the aortic valve, called aortic stenosis. This causes reduced blood flow from the heart, which creates excessive work on the heart. Sometimes the opposite can happen, and the valve does not close tightly enough, allowing backward flow of the blood into the heart and causing leakiness, or aortic regurgitation.

A narrow or leaky valve can lead to heart failure over time, causing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and difficulty exercising. Some people with bicuspid aortic valve also may develop enlargement of the aorta. The enlargement of the aorta above a certain size can lead to a rupture or tear of the wall of the aorta, which is life-threatening if not recognized or treated in a timely manner. As you can see, a bicuspid aortic valve can affect not just the valve, but also the aorta, with a wide spectrum of disease manifestations.

Most bicuspid aortic valve cases occur by chance, but approximately 10% of the cases tend to occur more often in family members. While screening of first-degree relatives is routine after the initial diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve, routine genetic testing is not recommended.

The initial test, as in your case, is an echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to image the heart chambers, its valves, blood flow through the valves and the size of the aorta. It is an excellent initial screening tool. An echocardiogram can reliably diagnose a leaky or narrow valve or the enlargement of the aorta. Should there be evidence of aortic enlargement, your health care provider may order a CT for more precise measurement.

Treatment of the bicuspid aortic valve depends on the extent of the valve's disease, the patient's symptoms and the size of the aorta. Open-heart surgery may be needed if the narrowing or leakiness is severe or the patient is experiencing symptoms.

The most commonly performed procedure is aortic valve replacement, with either an artificial mechanical valve or a biological tissue valve. In certain cases of a leaky valve, repair of the aortic valve may be more feasible than replacement, which is more advantageous, especially in younger patients.

During open-heart surgery, the surgeon may remove the enlarged section of aorta, if necessary, and replace it with a synthetic tube, or graft. While there are no medications for bicuspid aortic valve, your health care provider may prescribe medications to treat associated heart problems, like high blood pressure. Patients with bicuspid aortic valve are at increased risk for developing infection of the lining of the heart and the valves, so recommendations for proper, regular dental care can lower this risk.

In summary, once the diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve is established, you will require lifelong care and surveillance by a cardiologist using an echocardiogram to monitor your valve and aorta. Since the bicuspid aortic valve can be passed down in families, your health care provider also will recommend a screening echocardiogram for your parents, siblings and children ― your first-degree-relatives. — Dr. Gabor Bagameri, Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

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Related Articles 

• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Mechanical or tissue heart valve replacements published 2/26/21
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Most aortic aneurysms are small, develop slowly published 2/7/20
• Sharing Mayo Clinic: Surviving an aortic tear and living to navigate its aftermath published 2/2/20

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Treatment and management of bicuspid aortic valve appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen: Mayo Clinic Radio 8/3/19

On the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, Dr. Jon Ebbert, associate director of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, talks about smoking cessation, nicotine addiction and electronic cigarettes. Also on the podcast, John Konfala, a Mayo Clinic patient, shares his story. Konfala had an aortic valve replacement done by surgeon Dr. Juan Crestanello, at Ohio State University Hospital. When Konfala needed a second surgery, he followed Dr. Crestanello to his new location — Mayo Clinic. And Skip Sturtz, another Mayo Clinic patient, shares why he chose to become an altruistic kidney donor.

The post #MayoClinicRadio podcast: 8/3/19 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Cigarette smoking has fallen to its lowest point in recorded history, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But there’s a new problem at hand: electronic cigarettes. These battery-powered devices were introduced to the market to help smokers switch from traditional cigarettes. They work by heating a liquid into an aerosol that a user inhales. They are not an aid to quit smoking that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Using e-cigarettes, also called vaping, has become increasingly popular among teens and young adults. 

Because e-cigarettes don't burn tobacco, most experts agree that they're likely to cause fewer harmful effects than traditional cigarettes. But some e-cigarettes may contain harmful substances, such as carcinogens; toxic chemicals; and THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. E-cigarettes containing nicotine aren't considered safe for children, young adults or pregnant women. Nicotine can harm brain development in children and adults into their early 20s, and it is toxic to developing fetuses. In youth and adult nonsmokers, e-cigarette use also poses the risk of a nicotine addiction, which could lead to long-term use of e-cigarettes — the effects of which aren't known — or the use of traditional cigarettes. 

On this Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, Dr. Jon Ebbert, associate director of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, will talk about smoking cessation, nicotine addiction and e-cigarettes. Also on the program, John Konfala, a Mayo Clinic patient, will share his story. Konfala had an aortic valve replacement done by surgeon Dr. Juan Crestanello, at Ohio State University Hospital. When Konfala needed a second surgery, he followed Dr. Crestanello to his new location — Mayo Clinic. Skip Sturtz, another Mayo Clinic patient, will share why he chose to become an altruistic kidney donor.

Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

The post How safe are electronic cigarettes? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Cigarette smoking has fallen to its lowest point in recorded history, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But there’s a new problem at hand: electronic cigarettes. These battery-powered devices were introduced to the market to help smokers switch from traditional cigarettes. They work by heating a liquid into an aerosol that a user inhales. They are not an aid to quit smoking that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Using e-cigarettes, also called vaping, has become increasingly popular among teens and young adults. 

Because e-cigarettes don't burn tobacco, most experts agree that they're likely to cause fewer harmful effects than traditional cigarettes. But some e-cigarettes may contain harmful substances, such as carcinogens; toxic chemicals; and THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. E-cigarettes containing nicotine aren't considered safe for children, young adults or pregnant women. Nicotine can harm brain development in children and adults into their early 20s, and it is toxic to developing fetuses. In youth and adult nonsmokers, e-cigarette use also poses the risk of a nicotine addiction, which could lead to long-term use of e-cigarettes — the effects of which aren't known — or the use of traditional cigarettes. 

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Jon Ebbert, associate director of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, will talk about smoking cessation, nicotine addiction and e-cigarettes. Also on the program, John Konfala, a Mayo Clinic patient, will share his story. Konfala had an aortic valve replacement done by surgeon Dr. Juan Crestanello, at Ohio State University Hospital. When Konfala needed a second surgery, he followed Dr. Crestanello to his new location — Mayo Clinic. Skip Sturtz, another Mayo Clinic patient, will share why he chose to become an altruistic kidney donor.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post How safe are electronic cigarettes? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Because e-cigarettes don't burn tobacco, most experts agree that they're likely to cause fewer harmful effects than traditional cigarettes. But some e-cigarettes may contain harmful substances, such as carcinogens; toxic chemicals; and THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. E-cigarettes containing nicotine aren't considered safe for children, young adults or pregnant women. Nicotine can harm brain development in children and adults into their early 20s, and it is toxic to developing fetuses. In youth and adult nonsmokers, e-cigarette use also poses the risk of a nicotine addiction, which could lead to long-term use of e-cigarettes — the effects of which aren't known — or the use of traditional cigarettes. 

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Jon Ebbert, associate director of the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, will talk about smoking cessation, nicotine addiction and e-cigarettes. Also on the program, John Konfala, a Mayo Clinic patient, will share his story. Konfala had an aortic valve replacement done by surgeon Dr. Juan Crestanello, at Ohio State University Hospital. When Konfala needed a second surgery, he followed Dr. Crestanello to his new location — Mayo Clinic. Skip Sturtz, another Mayo Clinic patient, will share why he chose to become an altruistic kidney donor.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show? Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Electronic cigarettes / aortic valve patient story / altruistic kidney donation appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

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.

When James Tembrock of St. Cloud, Minnesota, learned he would need heart valve surgery, he says he never dreamed his search for a less invasive option would lead him to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. But he's glad it did.

"Around three years ago, my primary physician noticed a gurgling sound in my heart," James says. "An echocardiogram showed my aortic valve was obstructed."

His doctor advised James that the condition was something to keep an eye on. As the valve became more constricted, James began to experience symptoms of heart failure, including shortness of breath. During a drive through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the altitude amplified those symptoms.

"I was getting really short of breath and afraid I wouldn't be able to go across the Continental Divide," James says. "My heart valve was at one-quarter its normal size at that point."

A less taxing approach

James, who holds a master's degree in nursing and worked for 35 years at the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Hospital, knew there were less invasive valve replacement procedures that did not require open-chest surgery. But minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is technically challenging and offered by few surgeons.

Having earned his first nursing degree in Rochester, Minnesota, James decided to contact Mayo Clinic. James' wife, Sheila, made the call. She was advised that it would be possible for James to undergo the procedure at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

"I said, 'Eau what?'" Sheila recalls.

"With this procedure, there is less pain. They can recover faster and get back to lifting, working and normal activity in half the time or less." 

Robert Wiechmann, M.D.

In Eau Claire, James met with Robert Wiechmann, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Wiechmann told James he could perform the procedure through a 5-centimeter incision between the ribs.

"Given the option, people are thrilled not to have their chest cracked open," Dr. Wiechmann says. "With this procedure, there is less pain. They can recover faster and get back to lifting, working and normal activity in half the time or less."

A good candidate

People who only need valve replacement may qualify for the minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Wiechmann says. Those who need a combination of valve and bypass surgery, or those who have had a previous right-chest or lung operation would not be candidates.

After meeting Dr. Wiechmann, James was sure he was doing the right thing in pursuing the surgery.

"My confidence was very high," James says. "Dr. Wiechmann performs this surgery all the time. That is a big factor you look for in a surgeon."

"We loved the spiritual care that was available and the kind, compassionate care for hospital patients and families."

James Tembrock

Dr. Wiechmann says James' medical background helped him ask good questions, and his research paid off in finding an option that worked well for him.

In addition to the excellent medical care James received, James and Sheila say their spiritual needs also were met during their time in Eau Claire.

"We loved the spiritual care that was available and the kind, compassionate care for hospital patients and families," says James, who holds a master's degree in theology and studied for the priesthood. James especially appreciated the hand-illuminated St. John's Bible on display at the hospital. Sheila found comfort visiting the nearby St. Patrick's Church adoration chapel while James was in surgery.

A speedy recovery

After surgery, James' recovery time was short, and he says he bounced back quickly.

"I was in quite good shape right away," James says. "About a day and a half after surgery, Dr. Wiechmann looked me in the eyes and said, 'Mr. Tembrock, you're going to feel fantastic by tomorrow morning.' When he came back, I said: 'I'm ready to go. I'm out of here.'"

James and his wife were so happy with his care in Eau Claire that Sheila went there for a second opinion on a medical issue she had involving her wrist. The couple also has recommended Mayo Clinic Health System to other family members.

"The whole experience was amazing," says Sheila. "The care that he received was awesome."

Note: A version of this story previously was published in Hometown Health.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Learn more about heart failure and aortic valve replacement.
• Read about Cardiac Surgery.
• Explore Mayo Clinic Health System.
• Request an appointment.

The post Feeling Fantastic After Heart Valve Surgery appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

MULTIMEDIA ALERT: Video of Dr. Ken Fetterly is available for journalists to download on the Mayo Clinic News Network

"Through our efforts, we were able to quickly cut the overall radiation exposure to patients by nearly half using simple but effective methods," said Charanjit Rihal, M.D., chair of Mayo's Division of Cardiovascular Diseases. "We think this program could serve as a useful model for other cath labs in the U.S."

Cardiologists rely on X-ray images to identify heart problems and provide real-time guidance for procedures such as implanting stents to open narrowed arteries and aortic valve replacement. However, radiation from X-rays can be harmful. It can injure the skin if not administered judiciously, and can also damage DNA, which can increase the risk of certain cancers.

The amount of radiation used in a procedure should not exceed the minimum necessary, Dr. Rihal says. Recognizing this, Mayo instituted a broad-based program that has raised awareness about radiation safety and changed the way standard X-ray systems are used in the cath lab. For example, medical staff now set the radiation output of their systems to a very low setting, minimizing the radiation dose to their patients. They only increase the radiation dose if higher-quality images are needed, such as temporarily during a critical portion of a procedure. As a result, they can obtain useful images while lowering radiation exposure.

In addition, practice-wide radiation safety is now included when training fellows and junior faculty. The cath lab teams also are informed of the radiation dose delivered to patients during each procedure. Radiation exposure is routinely reported in the patient's medical record.

"The reductions in the radiation dose administered to patients occurred practice-wide and across diverse procedures," says Kenneth Fetterly, Ph.D., Division of Cardiovascular Diseases. Dr. Fetterly says the initiative is part of Mayo's ongoing commitment to patient safety.

The changes implemented by Mayo go well beyond standard procedures used in hospitals across the country. Buy-in across the practice is needed for such programs to succeed, Dr. Fetterly says. Success also requires physicians to shift their expectations from attaining the highest image quality to focusing on lower radiation exposure and accepting adequate image quality.

A total of 18,115 procedures at Mayo were performed by 27 staff cardiologists and 65 fellows-in-training over the three years of the study. Researchers calculated and then compared the cumulative skin dose (defined as the sum of radiation doses delivered from low dose rate imaging used to guide interventional procedures and higher dose rate diagnostic imaging) for procedures performed during the first and last quarters of the study period. Considering all procedures, researchers found a 40 percent reduction in radiation exposure on average over three years. The decrease for percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary angiography, non-cardiac vascular interventions and interventions to treat structural heart disease ranged from 34 to 53 percent.

"We need radiation to be able to see what we are doing in a patient, so X-ray imaging has a definite benefit, but excessive doses of radiation can cause problems," says Dr. Rihal. "These are good procedures. We just made them safer."

Currently, radiation dose reduction initiatives are under way in all Mayo cath labs in Minnesota, Florida, Arizona and Wisconsin.

Other Mayo study authors are Verghese Mathew, M.D., Ryan Lennon, Malcolm Bell, M.D., and David Holmes, M.D.

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About Mayo Clinic:

Recognizing 150 years of serving humanity in 2014, Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit worldwide leader in medical care, research and education for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit 150years.mayoclinic.org, www.mayoclinic.org and newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org.

Media Contact: Traci Klein, 507-284-5005 (days), newsbureau@mayo.edu

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The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association is one such patient group, which has both online and in-person components, including a community forum and an annual meeting to be held this year in late May in New Jersey. Several Mayo Clinic cardiologists and surgeons serve on the association's medical advisors group.

A patient named Bernyce recently shared her story on the HCMA Web site. Here's an excerpt:

August 27 2007 – I wrote to the cardiologist to let him know that I had been quite distressed over the weekend with the same complaints and that I had tried to reach him but he was not on call. His associate told me to double up on the Lanoxin but it did not help. I was so exhausted I could barely walk from the bathroom to the bedroom for lack of breath.

I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I was fortunate that my daughter accompanied me and she pushed me in a wheelchair on the trip all over the clinic to my several appointments, which included an echocardiogram that lasted for two hours and was done by two technicians and two medical doctors. There were several other tests as well.

August 29, 2007 -- I met with Dr.Ommen, one of the nicest and kindest doctors I have ever met. He reviewed the tests with me and finally told me that I needed surgery for my HCM, and for an aortic valve replacement and possibly a mitral valve replacement as well. He was not certain about the mitral valve because the echo left some things unclear. I returned home and called the Mayo Clinic to make an appointment for surgery with Dr. Joseph Dearani.

You can read the rest of Bernyce's five-year story on the HCMA site, where she also expresses gratitude for the existence of organizations like HCMA that provide resources for patients like her. Here is her conclusion:

I am 81 years old and feel reborn again.

I am eternally grateful to the HCMA for all the information they make available. I am eternally grateful that the HCMA helped me to find Dr’s Ommen and Dearani and for the time they spent with me on the phone before and after surgery. I'm eternally grateful that there are such places as the Mayo Clinic and I am proud that it is in the United States and I told that to many people that I've met there and others at home about my experience. The attitude of all of the people who work there is simply superb. I wish I could say that for all the clinics and hospitals I've been to and there have been many including the National Institute of Health where I was in a protocol for 15 years, unrelated to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. At Mayo the attention and care of their nurses is something I have not seen anywhere else. The cleanliness and punctuality throughout the place was marvelous. I cannot speak highly enough about the Mayo Clinic.

Please excuse me for being so long-winded but I wanted to share my experience with you all. If you should want to put any of this on your website, you have my permission to do so.

The post Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – Bernyce’s Story appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.