Imperfect Heart Podcast Por Jeff Holden arte de portada

Imperfect Heart

Imperfect Heart

De: Jeff Holden
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Imperfect Heart is a podcast designed for, hosted by and recorded with those affected by or involved with the care and support for those with the birth defect of a Myocardial Bridge. Interviews with healthcare professionals, support professionals and those navigating their way through the often challenging process of diagnosis and treatment are the focus of the content. It’s their stories that are meant to inform, educate and even entertain in an effort to insure hope for the listener that what they are experiencing is real, that they are not alone and that there is hope for relief from the varied symptoms of a Myocardial Bridge.

The host, Jeff Holden, has his own story to tell from symptom to diagnosis to treatment thus giving him insight and empathy as well as experience in the process of advocating for the patient. The program also seeks to make the healthcare industry more aware of the real symptoms of Myocardial Bridges with an aim to eliminate the gaslighting that is so prevalent around this defect and directly address the reality that Myocardial Bridges may be responsible for many more deaths from sudden cardiac arrest than previously thought. Early diagnosis and treatment could not only improve but may actually save lives when properly applied. More information can be found on the podcast website, www.myimperfectheart.com.Copyright 2025 Imperfect Heart
Actividad Física, Dietas y Nutrición Ejercicio y Actividad Física Enfermedades Físicas Higiene y Vida Saludable
Episodios
  • Episode 62: Denied, Then Delivered: The Rest of Pete Furman's Story Post-Open Heart Surgery. How He MADE It Happen.
    Dec 16 2025

    When I first spoke with Pete Furman in Episode 36, his health was failing, his options felt limited, and the road ahead was anything but clear. He was living with a myocardial bridge, drug therapy wasn’t working, and insurance had just denied his preferred surgeon. Everything felt urgent — and uncertain.

    In this follow-up conversation, Pete returns to share what happened next.

    We talk about how he navigated insurance denial, found a local cardiac surgeon willing to listen and learn, and ultimately underwent open-heart surgery to fully unroof his myocardial bridge. Pete walks us through the questions he asked, the promises he insisted on, and how self-advocacy became a matter of survival.

    But this episode goes far beyond the operating room. Pete opens up about the emotional toll on his family, the anxiety leading up to surgery, and recording messages “just in case.” He also shares a surprising post-surgery discovery — that part of his ongoing struggle wasn’t his heart at all, but how he was breathing — and how retraining his body helped him reclaim strength he hadn’t felt in years.

    Today, more than a year after surgery, Pete is back on his bike, training again, and setting his sights on racing in 2026.

    If you’re facing a myocardial bridge diagnosis, wrestling with insurance, or wondering whether it’s possible to truly get your life back, this conversation is proof that it is — even when the path looks imperfect.

    Pete's Doctor in Arizona was Dr. Modesto Colon with Phoenix Cardiac Surgery

    

    Chapter Timestamps00:00 – Welcome Back & Where Pete’s Story Left Off

    Pete returns to Imperfect Heart and recaps his diagnosis, failed drug therapy, and the critical decisions he faced after Episode 36.

    08:45 – Insurance Denial & Finding the Right Surgeon

    How a denied robotic surgery led Pete to a local, in-network cardiac surgeon — and the questions that mattered most.

    24:30 – The Surgery Decision: Sternotomy vs Robotic

    Why Pete chose open-heart surgery, what “fully unroofing” meant to him, and the promises he required before saying yes.

    41:10 – Fear, Family, and Facing the Unknown

    The emotional weight of declining health, preparing his family, and recording messages “just in case.”

    57:40 – Recovery, Setbacks, and a Surprising Breakthrough

    Post-surgery struggles, breathing dysfunction, and how retraining his body changed everything.

    1:15:20 – Life One Year Later: Riding, Racing, and Hope

    Pete’s return to the bike, future goals, advice for others starting this journey, and why advocacy matters.

    Más Menos
    38 m
  • Episode 61: Coronary Artery Bypass Advantage - Dr. Christopher Kwon's Non-Traditional Approach to Myocardial Bridge Unroofing.
    Oct 8 2025

    This may be one of those episodes that could be considered controversial and I hope it does prompt questions. Dr. Christopher Kwon is a highly experienced cardiac surgeon whose practice in Lake Havasu, Arizona has brought him face-to-face with a growing number of patients living with symptomatic Myocardial Bridges.

    What made this conversation so compelling is Dr. Kwon’s dual approach—he doesn’t just perform the standard unroofing procedure. He also chooses to bypass the artery in the same operation, giving his patients the greatest chance for long-term relief, in his expert opinion. As he says, it’s a “belts and suspenders” approach.

    We talk about everything related to the bridge unroofing procedure.

    • The fear patients have around sternotomy,
    • The diagnostic process including provocative testing,
    • The reality of competitive flow in grafts,
    • The insurance coding challenges that can delay care,
    • And, perhaps most importantly, how critical it is to advocate for yourself.

    Whether you're a patient, a caregiver, or a provider trying to better understand this often-dismissed condition, I believe this episode can give you clarity, confidence, and hope.

    ???? In This Episode, We Cover:
    • Dr. Kwon’s path from aspiring engineer to heart surgeon
    • Why sternotomy isn’t as scary as it sounds
    • His unique method: unroofing + bypass for added protection
    • When provocative testing is useful—but not always required
    • What to know about LIMA grafts and long-term outcomes
    • Why some cardiologists still dismiss this condition—and what he tells them
    • The importance of second opinions and listening to your gut
    • How insurance coding can make or break your surgery approval
    • Plus... Dr. Kwon’s life outside the OR, including his two standard poodles ????
    ???? Guest Info:

    Dr. Christopher Kwon

    Cardiac Surgeon – Havasu Regional Medical Center, Arizona

    Phone: 928-453-0890

    Contact info: https://www.havasuregional.com/find-a-doctor/provider/1225074867

    ???? Resources:

    • Website: www.myimperfectheart.com
    • Book: Imperfect Heart: Stories of Myocardial Bridges – Now available on Amazon or any digital platform where you find your books/ebooks/audio books.

    Chapter Summaries

    (00:00) Cardiac Surgeon Discusses Myocardial Bridges

    Dr. Kwon's journey to becoming a cardiac surgeon, his 21-year career, advancements in cardiac surgery, and treating myocardial bridges.

    (11:34) Bypass Graft and Competitive Flow Discussion

    Nature's intricacies of bypass grafts, specifically LEMA and its interaction with competitive flow, surgical strategies, and decision-making processes in complex cardiac surgeries.

    (20:14) Discussion on Myocardial Bridge Treatment

    Myocardial bridging treatment, stenting and surgery, sudden cardiac death, patient self-advocacy, and maintaining well-being through family, pets, and nature.

    (34:52) Bypass and Unroofing Procedure Discussion

    Dr. Kwon shares insights on unroofing bypass surgery, making complex medical information accessible and concludes with a light-hearted exchange about his dogs.

    Más Menos
    37 m
  • Episode 60: Cardiac Rehab After Open Heart Surgery
    Sep 24 2025

    Recovering from a heart surgery or cardiac event is never simple—the questions, fears, and “what-ifs” can feel overwhelming. That’s where cardiac rehab steps in, providing a safe, structured, and supportive bridge between the hospital and a confident return to life.

    In this episode, I'm speaking with Kimberly Lynch, a clinical exercise physiologist at Sutter Roseville Medical Center Cardiac Rehab. Kim is also a Leader of Impact with the American Heart Association which you'll hear a little more about in the episode. Kimberly explains what really happens inside cardiac rehab: monitored exercise, personalized treatment plans, nutrition guidance, and emotional support that helps patients rebuild both body and spirit.

    Together, we explore the fears patients face, the life-changing impact of rehab, and why this whole-person approach is so essential for recovery. Kimberly also shares her personal passion for advocacy and fundraising, and how community support powers lifesaving research and education.

    If you or someone you love is navigating recovery after a heart event, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and hope on your journey to your "new" normal post surgery. Build confidence and regain the life you choose by learning and understanding what to expect from cardia rehab.

    Learn more or support Kimberly’s American Heart Association campaign by checking the link HERE

    To learn more about cardiac rehab at Sutter Roseville Medical Center visit their website HERE.

    To reach kimberly via email: kimberly.lynch@sutterhealth.org

    Chapter Summaries:

    00:00 Introduction to Cardiac Rehab

    00:40 Welcome to Imperfect Heart

    02:04 Guest Introduction: Kimberly Lynch

    02:57 American Heart Association Fundraising

    06:36 Understanding Cardiac Rehab Programs

    08:55 Personal Experiences and Challenges

    15:34 Monitoring and Safety in Cardiac Rehab

    25:42 Holistic Approach: Nutrition and Mental Health

    28:25 The Emotional Impact of Heart Procedures

    28:52 Starting a Support Group for Heart Patients

    30:15 The Power of Shared Experiences

    33:08 Graduation and Moving Forward

    35:11 Virtual Cardiac Rehab Options

    36:52 Insurance Coverage for Cardiac Rehab

    39:23 Personal Stories of Recovery

    45:41 The Importance of Cardiac Rehab

    48:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Más Menos
    50 m
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