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Episodes

Episode 39: Meetup Session-The Caregivers Perspective On Living With a Myocardial Bridged Partner.
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.
Imperfect Heart Meetup Thank You & Shout Outs.
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...
Episode 38: Meetup Session Live With Dr. Kofidis on Myocardial Bridge Scarring and More.
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,
Episode 37: Dr. Allan Stewart’s Childhood Appreciation of Mechanics Lead to “Unroofing” of Myocardial Bridges.
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,
Episode 36: Pete Furman’s Push to Get Proper Insurance Acceptance for His Myocardial Bridge
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,
Episode 35: An Important Message and Updates From Your Host.
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,
Episode 34: Hereditary Heart Disease and a Cross Continent Cardiac Cure. Mary McDonalds Journey to Greece.
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.
Episode 33: Dr. Danny Ramzy’s Vision for the Future of Robotic Cardiac Surgery and Unroofing Myocardial Bridges.
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.
Episode 32: A Doctor’s Diagnostics & Research Lead a Myocardial Bridge Patient to “Unroofed” Progress.
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...
Episode 31: What to Say to Your Primary Care Physician When You’re Experiencing Chest Pain.
June 12, 2024

Episode 31: What to Say to Your Primary Care Physician When You’re Experiencing Chest Pain.

Have you ever wondered why some heart conditions slip through the cracks? I do. And myocardial bridges are one of those conditions. Join me as I speak with my very own primary care physician, Dr. Thomas Hopkins, more affectionately known as Dr. Tom.
Episode 30: You Have a Myocardial Bridge. Could You Die? Stanford’s Dr. Ingela Schnittger Explains.
May 30, 2024

Episode 30: You Have a Myocardial Bridge. Could You Die? Stanford’s Dr. Ingela Schnittger Explains.

Can a legal case become a catalyst for groundbreaking medical research? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ingela Schnittger, a trailblazer in the field of cardiology, as she recounts how a tragic courtroom moment ignited her passion and led her to a...
Episode 29: You’re Having Symptoms of a Heart Issue. The Story of Myocardial Bridges You Should Know.
May 8, 2024

Episode 29: You’re Having Symptoms of a Heart Issue. The Story of Myocardial Bridges You Should Know.

In this episode, I attempt to reveal some lesser known truths of myocardial bridges as I unravel the complexity of heart-related symptoms that often go misdiagnosed. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the disparity between the prevalence of this con...
Episode 28: Kathy Hoseth’s Rebellion Against Symptom Dismissal Erased 50 Years of Doubt.
April 24, 2024

Episode 28: Kathy Hoseth’s Rebellion Against Symptom Dismissal Erased 50 Years of Doubt.

Join me as I sit down with Kathy Hoseth, a remarkable woman with a compelling story of heart health struggles and self-advocacy. From her early childhood days experiencing unexplained chest pains to the complex journey of navigating the healthcare syst...
Episode 27: Jed Baker’s “Bridge to Nowhere” Journey Went Right Where it Belonged.
April 10, 2024

Episode 27: Jed Baker’s “Bridge to Nowhere” Journey Went Right Where it Belonged.

Embark on a mission dirven purpose with Jed Baker, as he narrates his battle with enigmatic health symptoms, culminating in the pivotal uncovering of a myocardial bridge—an anomaly that remained undiagnosed for an agonizing duration.
Episode 26: Dr. T. Sloane Guy Explains His Robotic Unroofing Procedure and Process for Acceptance.
March 27, 2024

Episode 26: Dr. T. Sloane Guy Explains His Robotic Unroofing Procedure and Process for Acceptance.

Have you ever marveled at the precision of robotic cardiac surgery or pondered the moral complexities hidden behind the robot's arm? Dr. Guy, a cardiac surgeon with a unique military background, joins us for a compelling exploration of this life-saving...
Episode 25: Louis’s Odyssey Turns Into a Tale of Tenacity
March 13, 2024

Episode 25: Louis’s Odyssey Turns Into a Tale of Tenacity

Join me as I embark on a heartfelt journey with my guest Louis Merlin, who bravely shares his personal struggle with his myocardial bridge—a condition we know is often overlooked or mistakenly dismissed as benign.
Episode 24: From Racing Pulse to Steady Resolve, Faith Leads Kelly Portillo to a Renewed Life
Feb. 21, 2024

Episode 24: From Racing Pulse to Steady Resolve, Faith Leads Kelly Portillo to a Renewed Life

Discover the power of perseverance and the importance of advocating for your own health as we share Kelly's captivating story, an individual who transformed her struggle with undiagnosed heart issues into a journey of self-discovery and medical triumph...
Episode 23: Only Days After Unroofing Surgery, 24 Year Old Kaylin Kellert Enthusiastically Shares Her Real Time Experience.
Feb. 7, 2024

Episode 23: Only Days After Unroofing Surgery, 24 Year Old Kaylin Kellert Enthusiastically Shares Her Real Time Experience.

I never imagined that a story of heart surgery could come with a side of laughter and gourmet hospital food. Yet here we are, with Kaylin Kellert, an Air Force veteran who, only a week post sternotomy and unroofing surgery,
Episode 22: Only Days From Surgery, Liane Aigner Shares Her Conviction and Confidence
Jan. 23, 2024

Episode 22: Only Days From Surgery, Liane Aigner Shares Her Conviction and Confidence

Never before have I had a conversation with somebody only days from their surgery sharing their story and their thoughts on a life-changing and controversial procedure that lies so closely ahead. Embark on the journey with Liane Aigner as she stands on...
Episode 21: What You Need to Know About the Sternotomy with Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Mark Francis Berry
Jan. 3, 2024

Episode 21: What You Need to Know About the Sternotomy with Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Mark Francis Berry

You're standing at the crossroads of cardiac care and ready to make the decision for your "unroofing" procedure. From the conversations I've had with many of our listeners, it's clear the sternotomy itself creates more fear than the actual heart surger...
Episode 20: Embracing Gratitude to Replace the Fear of Uncertainty Our Myocardial Bridges Create. Dr. Peggy DeLong Explains.
Dec. 20, 2023

Episode 20: Embracing Gratitude to Replace the Fear of Uncertainty Our Myocardial Bridges Create. Dr. Peggy DeLong Explains.

My own heart skipped a beat upon hearing Dr. Peggy DeLong's tales of loss and fear. Peggy, a beacon of resilience, opens up about the profound losses that shaped her life—her fiancé and her father both taken too soon; Her father by a heart condition,
Episode 19: Inside the University of Chicago OR for a Robotic Unroofing Procedure. What It’s Like.
Dec. 6, 2023

Episode 19: Inside the University of Chicago OR for a Robotic Unroofing Procedure. What It’s Like.

Prepare to journey through the operating room doors as I give you a front row seat to a robotic unroofing surgery with Dr. Balkhy at the University of Chicago. I find myself amazed at the intense emotion of watching this procedure firsthand as I know t...
Special Episode: With Gratitude…Happy Thanksgiving.
Nov. 23, 2023

Special Episode: With Gratitude…Happy Thanksgiving.

From one Imperfect Heart to another, may your day be full of family, friends and gratitude.  Happy Thanksgiving. Today, is a great day to be alive.
Episode 18: Emily Tedore’s Heart Attack Changed the Holidays Forever.
Nov. 22, 2023

Episode 18: Emily Tedore’s Heart Attack Changed the Holidays Forever.

You likely can relate navigating life's ups and downs, then suddenly, your heart throws you an unexpected curveball. My guest, Emily Tedore, a 39-year-old mother of two, courageously steps into our conversation to unravel her heart health journey.