HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi

What do you think? Should I go to another surgeon here in Arkansas or would I be wasting my time? I think Surgery for HCM is not done here very often. Would you suggest a hospital or surgeon in Arkansas?

W
My husband chose Mayo Rochester because they perform more surgeries than any of our hospitals in Southern California and have a fantastic HCM program, so maybe it’s worth going for a consultation and possible surgery.

Tom, did you have your surgery at the Mayo Clinic?

Thank you for all the input and info. Surgery is on my mind a lot and this does help.

i will be coming as a patient in two weeks to deal with my leaking mitral valve

Hi @rolandsullivan,

Welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this existing discussion as I thought it would be easier for you to connect with fellow members who might have more insight with regard to your question...
“Is there a cardiac Dr. that is connected with Dr. Esselstyn or Dr. Ornish?”

Would you be able to share a few more details, @rolandsullivan? Have you been diagnosed with HCM?

thank you. I have been treated and diagnosed with cardiac heart disease. HCM does not have the treatments I need. I have started the in take process and expect to be there next week.
point two. Dr. Esselstyn of the cleveland clinic and Ornish from the san fran hospital are know for Presidents Clinton life by reversing his heart disease. H

Dr. Esselstyn referedme to mayo because you are the leading heart hospital in the usa.

I thought I saw on your web site a Mayo Dr. that incorporates the whole plant based diet from Dr. Esselstyn into his team work at Mayo.

Got it!

I am new to this discussion group. I am a 68 year old woman from southern Indiana and was diagnosed with HCM about 3 years ago. I live a very active lifestyle being that we live on a farm with horses and a big garden so do not live a sedentary life. Although in the early stages of HCM with symptoms being somewhat controlled with meds, lifestyle, diet, and exercise for now, I would like to get a second opinion and consultation from Mayo this spring to see how I can prevent this from getting worst. I am also having a difficult time dealing with the meds. Do you think getting a second opinion from Mayo in the early stages is a good idea at this time. My cardiologist at home is very good but has not had the broad range of experience with HCM.

Welcome to Connect, @bbonchek.

I truly admire the fact that you are being so proactive about your health. Mayo Clinic has a long-standing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy program that provides highly individualized care. If you would like to make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices. You can also request an appointment online. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments

While we wait for other members to weigh in, I'd like to introduce you to @cynaburst, whose surgeon was Dr. Dearani, Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery at Mayo Clinic. She wrote these notes from a presentation he gave last year:
– Notes from presentation by Dr. Joe Dearani re: Myectomy at HCM Summit https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/notes-from-presentation-by-dr-joe-dearani-re-myectomy-at-hcm-summit/
You can read more testimonials from Mayo patients in this discussion, and how the travel was not the barrier to excellent care https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hello-i-was-diagnosed-with-hocm-last-year-i-have-been-told/

I’d also like to invite @ronaldpetrovich @mbcube @ccubed @rrowner2 @positivity @priscilla1972 @knecht @janicepike @PatMattos @ninimurphy @melthomas and others to join me in welcoming you. May I ask if you would share more about the diet and lifestyle changes you’ve had to make, @bbonchek?