I had a mini stoke in Dec 2019 and had a lot of diagnostic imaging done at the local hospital. After some discussion they told me I had "some blockage" in a carotid artery and they would "keep an eye on it" . My primary MD looked at the images and suggested I go to the Mayo in JAX (I had been there before for something unrelated) for further diagnosis. I did so and a whole batch of new tests were done and the diagnosis was "significant blockage in the right internal carotid" and it was suggested I have a stent put in immediately which was done by Dr. Tawk at the Mayo. He said after the surgery I had over 90% blockage. In late 2020 I was feeling tired and enervated much of the time. Again my primary suggested I see a cardiologist when I went for my stent follow up. They did the testing (angiogram, etc) and said I needed a new aortic valve and suggested TAVR as opposed to open heart procedure. I had the TAVR procedure on Dec 2 and it seemed to go well. I was released on Dec 3 and that evening in the hotel I felt very tired and week and was readmitted to the emergency room at the Mayo that evening. The next day I experienced a seizure and my heart "blocked" for about 30 seconds - basically it stopped. The staff decided I needed a pacemaker and put in a temporary one that evening, Dec 4. The next day Dr. McLeod put in a permanent pacemaker and I was released Dec 6. I have not had a problem since and feel great. I owe my life to the doctors and staff at the Mayo and feel I got the best care available anywhere. All this may seem convoluted but I hate to think of the results if I had not gone to the Mayo. They are the absolute best. The TAVR procedure is quite routine now and certainly better than the alternative. BTW I am 84 years old and in generally good health for my age. I think you are in the best possible place. Charles

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