Welcome to Imperfect Heart!

Episodes

April 9, 2025

An Unbelievable Journey of Friendship, Advocacy and Hope.

What happens when a fit and active lifestyle is interrupted by an unexpected health condition? Join me as I explore the profound journey of Mark Davis, one of my most dear friends, as he discovers something he, nor I,
March 26, 2025

Faith Carries Open Heart Surgery Patient to Successful Unroofing. Encore Episode.

IMPERFECT HEART: STORIES OF MYOCARDIAL BRIDGES... THE BOOK!  You can now find it on amazon by clicking on the link  HERE.  Share it with your doctor, your cardiologist or anyone interested in learning a little more about our condition.
March 12, 2025

FINALLY… A BOOK! THE BOOK! MY BOOK – Proves Myocardial Bridges Cause Heart Attacks.

Enduring the tumultuous journey of heart condition diagnosis and treatment led me, Jeff Holden, to realize the profound need for a supportive community and reliable information. Reflecting on my own experiences,
Feb. 26, 2025

Episode 49: From Heart Nurse to Heart Patient-Jen Shetler’s “Unroofing” Journey.

Jennifer Shetler never imagined that a routine run would lead her from the role of a healthcare professional to that of a heart patient. Yet, an unexpected bout of chest pain during her daily jog turned her world upside down,
Feb. 13, 2025

Episode 48: Deadly Desperation Leads to a Myocardial Bridge Unroofing in Pakistan.

Embarking on a quest for answers, Steve Millington faced a world of mystery when his heart first sent distress signals at just 22. Misdiagnosed and misunderstood, Steve's journey through unrelenting chest pain took him from Australia to Sweden,
Jan. 29, 2025

Episode 47: Heartfelt Recognition and Gratitude for Recovery From Myocardial Bridge Heart Surgery.

Facing unexpected health challenges can be a monumental experience, as lifelong athlete John Chan discovered when he encountered severe chest pains during an ultra marathon. Join us as he recounts his compelling journey from initial denial to acceptanc...
Jan. 8, 2025

Episode 46: My Virtual Conversation With A I About Myocardial Bridges.

I was doing some work with AI for a project and I wondered what I would find if I began a conversation about myocardial bridges. To my amazement, the responses to my questions were quite contemporary, on point for the most part and very much aware of t...
Dec. 24, 2024

Thank You for Another Incredible Year of Stories and a Little Holiday Message.

In this episode I take a moment to reflect and celebrate a year of content novelty and camaraderie in our Imperfect Heart community. From hosting 11 awesome patients who shared their personal journeys to featuring insights from 10 esteemed doctors,
Dec. 12, 2024

Episode 45: Robotic’s Revolution in Cardiac Care. Dr. Johannes Bonatti Shares Myocardial Bridge Unroofing From the Operating Room.

This episode includes graphic video and a detailed explanation of the "unroofing procedure" from the operating room and is best when viewed on the "Imperfect Heart" YouTube Channel. - In this, the third in a series on the "Vollmer Journey",
Dec. 4, 2024

Episode 44: Describing in Detail the Myocardial Bridge Provocative Test Procedure with UPMC’s Dr. Jeffrey Fowler.

Unlock the secrets of properly understanding and diagnosing myocardial bridges with insight from Dr. Jeffrey Fowler, a leading interventional cardiologist at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Our conversation promises to illuminate the often per...
Nov. 27, 2024

Episode 43: David Vollmer’s Journey Into the Holisitic and Alterntative Therapies. Part 1 of a 3 part series.

When David Vollmer first felt his heart race unpredictably during a workout, little did he know it would kickstart a journey that would redefine his understanding of health. From grappling with atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and a surprising diagnosis of m...
Nov. 26, 2024

Encore Episode: Expressing Gratitude for the Holiday with the Gratitude Psychologist, Dr. Peggy DeLong.

For many of us afflicted with this condition, it's easy to get lost in the challenges of living with a myocardial bridge. Whether you've been unroofed or not, there are still a myriad of things to be thankful for and Dr.
Nov. 13, 2024

Episode 42: How Ben Hunt’s Heart Health was Finally Revealed and Ultimately Repaired.

Imagine growing up on a rural desert farm, surrounded by sports and discovering pickleball before it became a sensation. That was Benjamin Hunt's life until an unexpected health crisis turned his world upside down.
Oct. 30, 2024

Episode 41: My (Your) First Meeting With a New Cardiologist Post Unroofing Surgery.

Knowing I needed to find a cardiologist in my home community post surgery, left me a little disappointed to leave the confines of Stanford's outstanding care. After two years it seemed a good idea to reach out to see who might be the "lucky" doctor to ...
Oct. 4, 2024

Episode 40: Meetup Session- Post Surgery Recovery. Our (VERY!) Candid Discussion.

What if the very medication meant to ease your post-surgery pain ends up causing a whole new set of problems? This episode pulls back the curtain on the real-life challenges of post-surgery recovery, starting with the digestive issues caused by pain me...
Sept. 25, 2024

Episode 39: Meetup Session-The Caregivers Perspective On Living With a Myocardial Bridged Partner.

Live from the Imperfect Heart meetup, this episode features an intimate and heartfelt roundtable discussion among the patients and their caregivers who have all experienced the effects of a myocardial bridge on their loved one.
Sept. 20, 2024

Imperfect Heart Meetup Thank You & Shout Outs.

These things don't happen in a vacuum so I just wanted to express my appreciation for everyone that took the time out of their weekend to show up, contribute and use their stories to the benefit of others. I also know every one of those in attendance a...
Sept. 18, 2024

Episode 38: Meetup Session Live With Dr. Kofidis on Myocardial Bridge Scarring and More.

Is there a right surgical approach that completely transforms the lives of patients with myocardial bridges? This episode is a live recording of the first ever myocardial bridge meetup where Dr. Theo Kofidis,
Sept. 11, 2024

Episode 37: Dr. Allan Stewart’s Childhood Appreciation of Mechanics Lead to “Unroofing” of Myocardial Bridges.

What if the future of heart surgery didn't involve massive scars and long recovery times? On this episode we'll visit the pioneering world of minimally invasive cardiac procedures through the eyes of Dr. Allan Stewart. A leading cardiac surgeon,
Aug. 28, 2024

Episode 36: Pete Furman’s Push to Get Proper Insurance Acceptance for His Myocardial Bridge

Join me for an enlightening episode of the Imperfect Heart Program, where I sit down with Pete Furman, a competitive cyclist who shares his unexpected heart health journey. Despite his excellent physical condition,
Aug. 15, 2024

Episode 35: An Important Message and Updates From Your Host.

Imagine waking up each day with a renewed sense of hope and determination, knowing you're part of a community that truly understands your journey. In this special update episode of Imperfect Heart, I, Jeff Holden,
July 31, 2024

Episode 34: Hereditary Heart Disease and a Cross Continent Cardiac Cure. Mary McDonalds Journey to Greece.

Ever wonder how someone can maintain a healthy lifestyle yet still face severe heart issues? Join me as I unpack Mary McDonald's gripping journey through hereditary heart disease, starting with her struggles with high blood pressure.
July 11, 2024

Episode 33: Dr. Danny Ramzy’s Vision for the Future of Robotic Cardiac Surgery and Unroofing Myocardial Bridges.

Can personal experiences with heart disease shape the future of heart surgery? Join me as I sit down with Dr. Danny Ramzy, a groundbreaking minimally invasive heart surgeon, to unravel his inspiring journey in medicine.
June 26, 2024

Episode 32: A Doctor’s Diagnostics & Research Lead a Myocardial Bridge Patient to “Unroofed” Progress.

Could your heart be sending distress signals that traditional tests can't detect? Join me, Jeff Holden, for a revealing conversation with Dr. Samit Shah from Yale School of Medicine as he shares groundbreaking insights on the Discover INOCA research pr...