Welcome to Imperfect Heart!

Episodes

Episode 17: Minimally Invasive Myocardial Bridge Unroofing Explained by Professor Theo Kofidis
Nov. 8, 2023

Episode 17: Minimally Invasive Myocardial Bridge Unroofing Explained by Professor Theo Kofidis

Join me for a conversation with Professor Theo Kofidis, Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at the National University Hospital of Singapore, as we explore the complexities of myocardial bridges and minimally invasive heart su...
Episode 16: Robotic Cardiac “Unroofing” with Dr. Husam Balkhy
Oct. 18, 2023

Episode 16: Robotic Cardiac “Unroofing” with Dr. Husam Balkhy

What if you could peer into the future of cardiac care and discover a method for Myocardial Bridge "unroofing" surgery that offers less pain, less scarring, and faster recovery? That future is now. Welcome to the new world of robotic cardiac surgery,
Episode 15: Surviving to Thriving – 6 Steps to Turn Trauma & Depression Into Transformation.
Sept. 13, 2023

Episode 15: Surviving to Thriving – 6 Steps to Turn Trauma & Depression Into Transformation.

Since you’re listening to this podcast, you’ve likely got symptoms of a Myocardial Bridge or you’re post-surgery and have been “unroofed”.  In either case, whatever your symptoms are or were, a heart attack, shortness of breath,
Episode 14: Death Ride, Carmel and An Anniversary
Aug. 31, 2023

Episode 14: Death Ride, Carmel and An Anniversary

Join me as I reflect and celebrate several anniversaries, acknowledge the emotional and mental shifts post-surgery, and advocate for proper diagnosis and treatment of our condition. A treated myocardial bridge lifestyle is significantly improved and bo...
Episode 13: Amanda’s Heart Journey Takes Another Unexpected Turn…
Aug. 9, 2023

Episode 13: Amanda’s Heart Journey Takes Another Unexpected Turn…

In this second part of Amanda's journey, a relatively successful unroofing procedure leaves a residual problem related to the sternotomy.  Of course, given the nature of the process she's been through with all the twists and turns,
Episode 12: Outrageous Diagnoses Lead to Surprise Solution for Amanda Pearlman
Aug. 9, 2023

Episode 12: Outrageous Diagnoses Lead to Surprise Solution for Amanda Pearlman

Amanda Pearlman was training to be a law enforcement officer when during Police Academy, a heart attack took her out of contention.  But that's just the tip of the iceberg as unbelievable diagnoses compounded the real issue of a Myocardial Bridge.
Episode 11: Everything Doesn’t Always Go Perfectly. How Boots Knighton Handled Her Doctor’s Mistake.
July 19, 2023

Episode 11: Everything Doesn’t Always Go Perfectly. How Boots Knighton Handled Her Doctor’s Mistake.

Many of the stories to date, mine included, have had relatively good outcomes with little drama in the post-surgical process to recovery and final outcomes. We all know everything can't always go right and I think it's important we go from thinking tha...
Episode 10: Stanford’s Dr. Jack Boyd Explains Myocardial Bridge Surgery. The Unroofing Process.
June 28, 2023

Episode 10: Stanford’s Dr. Jack Boyd Explains Myocardial Bridge Surgery. The Unroofing Process.

This is a very special episode for anyone considering the unroofing process for their Myocardial Bridge. Dr. Jack Boyd, Stanford School of Medicine's Clinical Associate Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery is my guest.  Dr.
Coming June 28th: A conversation with Stanford’s Dr. Jack Boyd
June 21, 2023

Coming June 28th: A conversation with Stanford’s Dr. Jack Boyd

I want to share something very exciting for all my MB Family whether you’re still on your journey or you’ve already been unroofed.  And if you have been unroofed, the odds are good our guest on the next episode of Imperfect Heart is somebody you may kn...
Episode 9: Journeys 2 – A Nurse’s Dilemma: Sternotomy vs Robotic Unroofing.
June 17, 2023

Episode 9: Journeys 2 – A Nurse’s Dilemma: Sternotomy vs Robotic Unroofing.

Jeremy Hester, a nurse at a local hospital in a small northern community of California is faced with a wonderful, yet incredibly difficult decision. Hear the challenges he went through to get to his proper diagnosis of a Myocardial Bridge and what is g...
Episode 8: From Bangladesh to Stanford, Raisul Islam Discovers His Myocardial Bridge
May 24, 2023

Episode 8: From Bangladesh to Stanford, Raisul Islam Discovers His Myocardial Bridge

A driven and determined electrical engineer with a degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering makes his way to Stanford to pursue his PHD. Little did he know there was going to be an even more fortuitous outcome at the University beside his docto...
Episode 7: Journeys 1 – Dr. Linda Cunningham Discovers the Source of Her Pain
May 10, 2023

Episode 7: Journeys 1 – Dr. Linda Cunningham Discovers the Source of Her Pain

Welcome to the first episode of Imperfect Heart "Journeys", a monthly publication that will release on alternate weeks with our complete stories of those who have been unroofed. "Journeys" will be stories of Myocardial Bridge patients navigating thei...
Episode 6: 2 Women Continued… What Happens After Surgery and Will I Ever Run Again?
April 19, 2023

Episode 6: 2 Women Continued… What Happens After Surgery and Will I Ever Run Again?

As promised from part 1, Veronica and Sarah get into the Q & A from a recently unroofed patient to an experienced and once again athlete. We'll discuss pain management, strength from proper follow-through of direction from your care team and Sarah ans...
Episode 5: 2 Women Both Athletes, 2 Surgeries, 2 Stories to Share
April 19, 2023

Episode 5: 2 Women Both Athletes, 2 Surgeries, 2 Stories to Share

I had the great privilege of speaking with two female athletes, both working moms and both having suffered with and then recovered from "unroofing" surgery for their Myocardial Bridges. What's most interesting is that they met on this podcast and Vero...
Episode 4: You Have a Myocardial Bridge, Now What? Dr. Ingela Schnittger Suggests Next Steps (part 2 of 2 episodes)
March 15, 2023

Episode 4: You Have a Myocardial Bridge, Now What? Dr. Ingela Schnittger Suggests Next Steps (part 2 of 2 episodes)

So you've clearly listened to part 1 of Dr. Schnittger's descriptions, definitions and requirements of ascertainment to identify you're bridge and that's all well and good. But the syptoms as damn near killing you, debilitating you,
Episode 3: Stanford’s Dr. Ingela Schnittger Defines the Myocardial Bridge. (part 1 of 2 episodes)
March 15, 2023

Episode 3: Stanford’s Dr. Ingela Schnittger Defines the Myocardial Bridge. (part 1 of 2 episodes)

Dr.Ingela Schnittger, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center is my guest for this discussion. Oh, what a conversation we have. I listened and learned and she tutored. I am so excited to share this episode with you ...
Dr. Ingela Schnittger Reveals More About Myocardial Bridges…coming March 15th
March 9, 2023

Dr. Ingela Schnittger Reveals More About Myocardial Bridges…coming March 15th

I want to be sure you're either subscribed or have it marked in your calendar to be sure to listen to our next episode with Dr. Ingela Schnittger of Stanford University Medical Center as what you're going to hear will be one of the most impactful monta...
Episode 2: Where To Get Answers and Support From Others With Myocardial Bridges
Feb. 14, 2023

Episode 2: Where To Get Answers and Support From Others With Myocardial Bridges

First things first. What better day to share the second episode of Imperfect Heart than Valentines Day! I am most appreciative of the recognition of hearts in every way both figuratively and literally. Our hearts most definitely rule our lives in so ma...
Episode 1: What the Hell Just Happened? I Had a Heart Attack?
Jan. 19, 2023

Episode 1: What the Hell Just Happened? I Had a Heart Attack?

In this very first episode of Imperfect Heart I take you on the steps of my journey starting with the recognition, albeit reluctantly, that there is something terribly wrong and as much as I hate to say it, I know it's my heart.
Trailer
Jan. 5, 2023

Trailer

Welcome to Imperfect Heart, a podcast for those born with a Myocardial Bridge. Hear from your host, Jeff Holden, the beginning of his journey with a Myocardial Bridge, his purpose in creating the program and what you can expect going forward.