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Thank you Pete. As long as we keep uploading content about this condition, we're going to be able to support the surgeons who want to learn how to best "unroof" a patient. This is a case of more is better. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

Appreciate the comments. We're working hard to help educate, inform and support those with MB's.

Pete, thanks for the video markers and the comments. I agree, this simple and enlarged model is most descriptive and really helps with the visualization of the condition.

I can clarify to the best of my experience and understanding, but will leave the rest up to the experts. - the heart muscle does scar over where it has been cut however it's not regenerative to where it would grow to the extent of attempting to put itself back together. The scarring is just over the area that was cut. - I will concur with the majority of the doctors that a myocardial bridge CAN cause a heart attack and in some cases, sudden cardiac death. Dr. Stewart did address that he wanted to see conclusive evidence that a bridge could have caused a heart attack or death and he hadn't seen anything formal to confirm that. I will disagree with that evaluation since I personally had a heart attack that was caused by my bridge. Many of our guest doctors have also agreed that the bridge, or the consequences of the bridge could cause sudden cardiac death or at the least, a heart attack. Dr. Schnittger's first experience and introduction to myocardial bridges was as a result of a sudden cardiac death that was being attributed to the bridge. I should have asked Dr. Stewart for some clarification on that point. One of the purposes of the program, "Imperfect Heart" is to draw more attention to myocardial bridges as I do believe, many people are dying as a result, directly or indirectly, of a myocardial bridge that has gone undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or from a complication that was a direct result of the bridge. Like a narrowed or occluded coronary artery. - We are certainly on the precipice of "best practices" for an "unroofing" procedure. As we progress to knowing more and more about the process the doctors are using, we'll learn from those patient experiences what may be working best. Today, each doctor does the surgery the way they believe is the best way to perform the task and we don't have enough research to really identify who is doing it "better" at this point. Even as more doctors perform the surgery, we're seeing different results and differences in the duration of asymptomatic outcomes. We still have a lot to learn. Finally, if medication is working, how long do you continue that treatment? I can't answer that question other than to reiterate a couple of things.The condition does not "heal" itself. It tends to deteriorate over time and the answer to having surgery is really as individual as the answer to what causes so many with a bridge to never experience a symptom vs the small percentage of the population that does. (And I do believe there is a much larger percentage of the population that is symptomatic but we just don't know because they aren't saying anything or simply die from what looked like a coronary artery blockage... in my opinion.) Hope that helps!

Focus on the reason for the sternotomy more than the sternotomy itself and you'll be fine. It's a very stable way to address heart issues and if you follow the healing protocol, you should be fine. Good luck with everything and glad Dr. Berry was able to shed a little light on the conversation for you. Thanks for the comments.

There is certainly hope and support for those with the condition. I appreciate your comments.

Jen, thank you for supporting Pete. It's always a tough journey to go through and to your point, his story will absolutely help others. I appreciate your comments and if Pete and I get that ride together post surgery, I can't wait to come to the gallery. Your work looks outstanding!

And thanks you to you Pete. Without those of us sharing what we're going through, we would feel lost, alone and afraid. Your story will make a difference and help so many others in the same space.

Not sure I understand your question.

@@thenonprofitpodcastnetwork663 On one of videos a doctor mentioned that we bypass the heart and pump the blood mechanically after oxygenating it, I did not understand how.

Here's a thorough explanation...Oxygenating blood outside the lungs is typically done through medical techniques, the most common being Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Oxygenators (such as in a heart-lung machine). Here’s how they work: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): This is a machine that takes over the function of the lungs and sometimes the heart. Blood is drawn from the patient’s body, passed through a device that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, and then returned to the body. The ECMO machine uses a pump to circulate the blood and an oxygenator (often called a membrane oxygenator) to mimic the gas exchange that normally occurs in the lungs. Heart-Lung Machine (during surgeries): During certain heart surgeries, a heart-lung machine is used to oxygenate the blood while the heart is stopped. Blood is taken out of the body, passed through an oxygenator, and returned, allowing the surgeon to operate without the heart beating. Blood Oxygenators (Oxygenated Perfusion): These devices are used to oxygenate blood in a similar fashion to ECMO, often in a more localized or temporary setting, such as during surgeries or organ transplants. Each method provides oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the blood by mimicking the process that normally occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, using semi-permeable membranes and controlled oxygen flow.

Thank you so much for the kind words. As you know, the objective, our mission is to not only serve and support those with the condition of a myocardial bridge but it is equally to work to demonstrate to the medical community that we need to be taken seriously, that MB's are absolutely symptomatic and that the medical community must develop a protocol to assess MB's in patients complaining about chest pain. I am certain people with MB's are dying every day due to misdiagnosis and we never learn the true cause of the coronary blockage that caused their death. Please do everything you can to share our program with those that you come in contact with as you work through your situation and I hope you can get relief as well. I agree it is certainly a privilege for those that are able to get to Dr. Kofidis but do keep in mind that the cost of the surgery in Greece could be as little as one tenth the cost in the US. In some cases, even more. Please keep me posted on your journey and don't hesitate to connect via my email, jeff@hearmenowstudio.com

Thank you. Please share with all your medical team as well. They need to learn about this condition and it's part of our mission to make it easier for them! And you of course. Pls keep me posted on your progress and if you can, let me know what state you're in. I may be aware of a doctor there. I appreciate the support as we continue to serve...

Stenting a bridge is never a good option under any circumstances. If you're suggesting now getting the heart muscle cut to "unroof" the artery, I cannot comment in good conscience to that procedure and would direct you to get a second opinion from another respected cardiac surgeon. Stanford has a second opinion option and I believe Cleveland clinic does as well. Dr. Kofidis (another podcast episode) also will do a free consult that may be worth doing. Keep me posted as you're the first person I've connected with that has a stented bridge that has held up. Then again, why is it that you're wanting to have additional surgery?

Alana, I am not a medical professional and your question is very specific to both a medical procedure and condition. I would suggest you have that conversation with your cardiologist or cardiac surgeon. It is good that your stent is holding up given its placement.

Robyn, we'll certainly be recording some of the sessions but I'm not sure we'll have the capability to zoom them. We are looking into it. (There are cost considerations we're having to work through and it will depend on whether or not it's doable.) I appreciate the interest. Thank you.

Yes. MB is not good. You must find a surgeon in your country or travel to where one exists to perform an "unroofing" procedure to relieve the pressure on the artery. I don't know where you're located but it you would let me know I can see if there are any surgeons who know the procedure.

Teresa, thank you and I'm glad you found value in the episode. As you know, this is a journey. Persistence and patience will guide you to the right solution. Pls keep me posted.

Couple of things. I don't know your age or your duration of awareness of symptoms but you want to find a cardiologist who understands the reality of these things. MB's are absolutely symptomatic! I have several of the worlds leading cardiac surgeons on the program, top cardiologists and many people that have had the surgery to relieve and in some cases, (mine included) the symptoms. What you need is a provocative test. It includes IVUS plus an acetylcholine test along with a dobutamine challenge as well. I'm not sure where you're located but there are more and more healthcare systems performing these tests. If you would like to reach out to me directly, I may be able to give you some more information. You should also get on the FB group page for Myocardial Bridges as you'll find many people with the same story. You need to share the episode with Dr. Ingela Schnittger from Stanford with your cardiologist and then share one of the most recent with Dr. Samit Shah. There is no denying this condition produces symptoms. We can prove it does. Ask your doc if you can prove it doesn't. You can connect with me on the contact tab on the website... www.myimperfect heart.com. I'm happy to help in any way I can. I've been where you are. Hang in there. You're on the right track and you will find a solution. They exist.

Joanne, in my humble opinion I'm going to suggest you trust your gut. I'm not sure of your location but I would find a doctor that can properly address the bridge, get you the proper CT scan to identify the significance of the bridge and theb go from there. You may even want to apply to Dr. Shah's clinical trial. He does have hospitals around the country that are participating. Pls keep me posted on your progress. I am currently speaking with another gentleman that has high cholesterol, no blockages, a significant bridge that is causing shortness of breath, arrhythmias and angina under stress. He just completed his provocative testing and is now headed for scheduling of his surgery and he couldn't be more excited as he, and his medical team are 100% convinced it's the bridge. (Hes in the Philadelphia area and his hospital is also participating in Dr Shah's clinical trial program, although he is not.) Stay positive and keep pushing your providers to get you where you need to be and feel free to share the podcast with them as well. We're getting enough doctors in there that are well recognized names and it should influence any doubters. I can certainly appreciate your concerns about a heart attack but you're doing what you need to do.

My friend, you are asking the million dollar question that I don't think we're ever going to get a truthful answer on. Is it possible the vaccine created a dynamic that triggers symptoms in certain individuals with MB's? It's a valid question. At issue is what purpose does it serve? What's done is done and we have to move forward doing the best we can for ourselves. Continue your journey to get the most complete diagnostics possible and then make your decision on how best to proceed. Keep me posted if you would on the contact tab on the website. www.myimperfectheart.com

Sir I have had mmb

This would be a question best left to your medical care team or professional. Attempting to make a diagnosis like this would be nothing more than a guess. Can a myocardial bridge create a cough? It's certainly possible as a consequence of something the MB my be creating but you would need to be properly tested to get any further confirmation of what the issue may be. I'm sorry to hear you're having such issues.

Thanks sir

I have friends I ride with that have multiple stents but I would strongly suggest confirming whatever exercise you take up with your medical care team or doctor or cardiologist. Exercise, depending on your condition, is one of the best things you can do to get yourself back in shape as long as you're eating well too. Hopefully, you do not have a myocardial bridge as that should never be stented.

Thank you and yes, I agree. We're working hard to get the medical community in sync. Over time, we will. Hang in there. I have not spoken to Dr. Ghobrial but hope to. I have reached out to her. She does great work. You're close to a solution. More to come...

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you Kevin.

Hoping it helps you get to some resolution.

Kevin, it all really depends on the severity of the symptoms and how it's affecting your quality of life. Medical therapy should be the first round of attempts to relieve the symptoms. It typically takes a while to determine what's best as every situation and body chemistry is unique. Depending on what's leading you to get a diagnosis in the first place should help determine next steps. For some, meds are a good solution. One thing to keep in mind however, is that meds are only treating the symptom and not the cause. The bridge doesn't heal, it doesn't get "better" and it only gets worse over time. So therein lies the conundrum. If you're not too challenged with the symptoms, meds could be a good route to go. Just keep in mind that if they're not working to your satisfaction, you may want to take the diagnostics one step further and get a provocative test to ascertain the severity of the bridge and what is going on with blood flow. Also, if you're not already there, The Myorcardial Bridge Facebook Group may give you some solace and support.

Paul, the severity of the HCM or HOCM really makes a difference but sounds like you really did your homework to be certain you knew of everything going on. Good for you. The more we know the better we can make decisions that affect our quality of life and our futures. Sarah Miller, Ep 5&6 also had HCM and a full on heart attack. I don't think it was HOCM though and she didn't need full on surgery for repair. Doc wasn't worried about where her issues were. Would you be interested in being a guest the program? You have a good story to tell.

@@imperfectheartpodcast7944 I would absolutely accept an invitation for an interview on your podcast. I was on Suzanne “Boots” Knighton podcast some time ago. To share my story might help or inspire others to take control of your health. Our bodies speak and we cannot be bullied by other egotistical doctors who can be clueless.

The percentage of sudden cardiac arrest would not be possible to estimate since the incidence of that is not measured appropriately according to myocardial bridges. There's no reason to suffer or compromise your lifestyle regardless of age. There are 80+ year old people that have had the surgery and are much improved. The question would be whether or not you can find the appropriate surgeon within reason and if you're a candidate for the procedure. I'm not sure where you reside but there are now surgeons we're aware in many parts of the world that perform the surgery. You can always get a complimentary call with Dr. Kofidis (Greece) or Dr. Mangalam (India)

@@jeffholden1805 sir u r great thanks very much from Pakistan I have had MB sir I had severe chest pain and also mild cad in LCx and Rca real worry is I had multiple vessel minor cad I afraid about unroofing am I lived on meds long life or sudden death chance

Sir I'm 47 years male

You are young. Do what you can to be properly tested and then find the right doctor for your diagnosis.

All of the robotic docs I've spoken with will not operate without a complete provocative test to map the significance of the bridged arteries. Not all bridged arteries have enough restricted blood flow to be symptomatic. Your best bet is to get a provocative test completed so you can share with various doctors to get an assessment on whether or not they would take the case. I would also recommend you reach out to Dr. Theodoros Kofidis as he will give you a free meeting and help you better understand your options. Depending on where you live, there are hospital systems that can do the test. Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Georgia Heart Institute, Stanford in California. There are certainly more that I've not yet come across but that is going to be your best starting point.

Ryan, these are very technical questions that need to be addressed by you cardiologist or surgeon. We have some very good ones I have interviewed and all have a process to get in touch with them. Dr. Theodoris Kofidis will give you a consultation free of charge. He may be a good first step if you've already got some testing to go over with him. I've noticed you haven't responded to any of my input but there's not much more I can suggest at this point.

Hang in there Ryan. There are going to be high highs and low lows in the process. Be sure to get yourself on the Myocardial Bridge FB support group as well. You'll see lots of interaction and support. Do not hesitate to reach out to me via email if you want to have an off-line convo as well. I know where you are and it can be really frustrating, anxiety ridden and demoralizing. We've got you. There's plenty of information to support your next steps.

He does not. Only Greece. But do reach out to him as he will do a free consult. He's going to want to see at the very least a CT scan. I can see from your photo that you've got a young child. Don't panic. It's very unlikely the condition is going to cause you significant harm in the short term. You have time to explore your options.

Ryan, I'm not sure I understand or if there is a typo in your comment. Should that be "matter" instead of "master"? If so, there are still a lot of questions to be answered. "How" are you symptomatic? In other words, what is it that happens? Under exertion or not? Is it chronic? How long have you been experiencing the symptoms? Have they become more frequent or severe? Have you had a CT, or better yet, provocative test? Would be happy to continue the dialogue on or off line to the extent I can help. You can contact me through the website www.myimperfectheart.com.

Thank you for listening and commenting. Please share with anyone you think might benefit as we're on a mission to change the way the world has been viewing myocardial bridges. Kelly is proof that MB's can be repaired and you can get your life back. Don't forget to subscribe as well! You can also find "Imperfect Heart" podcast on your favorite podcast apps. If you do have a Myocardial Bridge, don't give up. Keep advocating for yourself until you get a solution. There is one out there.

Thank you for your kind words! May God bless you!

Kelly, you are so very welcome! This is how we're going to make a difference in helping the medical community better understand our condition and that there are remedies. You were an outstanding guest with a most unique story. Thank you!

Been there done that on both conditions. Big difference is mine were separate open heart surgeries @ Cleveland Clinic. HOCM IN 2015 & deep long MB in 2019 & LIMA bypass. It’s a MUST to have it done @ a Center of Excellence. You will be well if performed @ a COE Hospital. All the best. BTW, I’m a 63 year old male.

Hang in there, you will get through this. Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery. I am here if you need.

Jayne, you should have had your surgery by now. My apologies for not responding sooner. I didn't see the comment. I'm hoping all went well and you're already feeling better. The sternotomy is going to be sore so take it easy and be sure to use your spirometer as it's critical for getting your lungs and breathing back quickly as well as preventing any fluid buildup. Hopefully by now, you're already walking around.

Paul, yes to that LIMA bypass as well. Same here. All in one episode though and a couple of years out now, all is good. Hoping the same for you. You're 9 years out and I'm assuming doing great by the sound of your message. Good to hear.

Ray, for sure. I'm a lucky dude. Blessed to be able to have weathered it all. Stanford performed the two surgeries concurrently. They're the #1 Research university in the world for Myocardial Bridges, which is the heart condition so that was the priority. But because the Pectus Excavatum was putting pressure on the heart, it necessitated the Ravitch procedure. Which I'm happy to say, is doing it's thing. No pressure at all. Hope the story was helpful to you in some way.

Attitude, gratitude and positivity. Thanks for the comments Jed. Looking forward to speaking with you as well!

Hope all is well with you Cindy. Feel free to reach out anytime.

Oh my gosh Dana, I apologize for the delay here. We had severe storms and I actually did complete my reply to you last week but the power went out and I thought it had gone thru. Here are the details for what I might suggest for care reasonably close.Ohio Cleveland Clinic - surgeon Dr. Gosta Pettersson, see also cardiologist Dr. Joanna Ghobrial and/or Dr. Patrick CollierPennsylvania University of Pittsburgh - Dr. Johannes BonattiIllinois Univ. of Chicago - Dr Balkhy, robotic-assisted; contact assistant Elisa.Villalobos@uchospitals.edu These should get you started. If you're not yet aware, there is also a FB support page for MB's. The Myocardial Bridge Support Page. Easy to find. I commend you for you interest in seeking a solution for your patient. If only every PCP/GP would do same we wouldn't have the issues we have with this condition. I would love to have you on the program if you would agree to discuss exactly what you discovered in your efforts to help your patient. Might you be interested? We can continue the conversation privately if you would email me at "jeff@hearmenowstudio.com". Thank you and again my apologies. One last thing, feel free to give your patient that email as well. I would be happy to speak with him or begin a dialogue to support him through what can be a very challenging process.

It's really about the quality of life living with a symptomatic bridge. They do not get better, only worse. To the best of my knowledge, there are no studies of the correlation to an unroofed myocardial bridge and life expectancy. However, the bridge caan cause symptoms that can cause sudden cardiac arrest. One that is certain is disease of the coronary artery, narrowing or the artery and the high likelihood of plaque buildup in the artery as a result of the bridge. There are also symptoms that can be caused by the bridge like endothelial dysfunction which can then trigger other undesirable side effects of the hear. And all this does not take into account the pain associated with many of the symptoms. So to your point, could the myocardial bridge cause a premature death? I personally would argue, yes. If surgery is an option, there are no cases that I'm aware of where somebody died as a result of the surgery and in most cases, the surgery produces remarkable results and improvement to quality of life.

@@imperfectheartpodcast7944 much thanks

Sir I'm so scary about surgery so I questioned that I live with MB or life expectancy with mb

It ca be scary, however, nobody has ever died from the surgery. On the other hand, if you do nothing, your condition will likely get worse and the MB can create other problems that could cause a heart attack. If you have the option to have the surgery, and your symptoms are severe enough that they're causing your quality of life to detriorate, I would seriously consider getting it done. If you have not listened to, or would like the transcript of Dr. Peggy DeLong explaining how to use gratitude to minimize fear, I would be happy to send it to you. I'm not sure if you're having to translate to English so if that might help, I'm happy to do so. @@Gamingpro12346

Michael, you may also want to watch the "Unroofing" process that I posted from UChicago. It will be demonstrative for you on what goes on. As for your MB, give a listen to Dr. Schnittgers 2 part episode. She explains everything, including the testing to be certain is assessed properly. And yes, the MB DOES cause not only ischemia but cardiac arrest. Many of the people I speak with have had heart attacks, including me. I also had a CABG procedure as the compression of my artery went on too long and they were concerned about the possibility of collapse. It all worked beautifully and I'm back to "normal". The gold standard for the MB is the CT with contrast, read by a properly trained and certified radiologist. Then you'll know the severity and potential of the MB causing your issues. The bypass alone does not correct endothelial dysfunction. If the MB is deemed to be "significant" enough to be symptomatic then you're going to want to get a provocative test to see what's actually going on with the artery as well. It's all covered in the episode with Dr. Schnittger. Stanford also does a second opinion so once you've got your test, you can reach out the them to see what they think. Good luck with it all and don't hesitate to reach out with any more Q's. I understand the frustration.

Thank you.

You're welcome 😊

For the right people with the right situation, it is certainly the way to go. Thank you for watching.

Hello sir I have pigeon chest since childhood I need to consult which specialist surgeon please suggest me 😭🙏🙏

I am from India now I am 27 years old

Say surgery will take time to heal

The surgery is not as bad as they suggest. In the course of a lifetime, 3 months to heal is short. I can only suggest your healt care system. Dr. Kumaran Mangalam at Narayana Health in Bangalore may be able to help. Let him know you found the information on Imperfect Heart. His email address is drtkumaran@gmail.com

Penny, I'm so sorry to hear you were stented for a bridge. I can appreciate your challenge with symptoms becoming more severe. I'm about to release an episode on Wed the 8th with a doctor who will give a consult for no charge and I would suggest it worth the outreach. Stanford also has a second opinion option that is available on their website if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if Dr. Balkhy is as flexible but it may be worth the outreach to him as well just to see what comes back. The number for his office is 773-834-1612. I don't know all the details of your situation, Penny, but depending on how you feel about it, I would love to have you as a guest on the podcast to explain what happened and where you're at today. Stenting is something we want everyone with this condition to avoid at all cost. Thanks for reaching out and let's see if we can get you connected with somebody who can give you some solid information about next steps.

I would be interested of course! My nursing degree makes me always want to share things with others and increase awareness. My bridge didn't give me any issues for quite awhile and then one day, boom I had all the symptoms of an MI and was transferred. My cardiologist took me to the Cath Lab NOT thinking it was the bridge but of course an MI. Both of us were shocked that it was 90% occluded. I had a choice between the stent or open heart but in the heat of the moment I opted for the stent. I realize that so much more is known and the unroofing is offered more now. I just came through colon cancer and chemo and I am not laying down yet!

Penny, let's continue the dialogue but if you don't mind, would you reach out via email to Jeff@hearmenowstudio.com? I think you're a great candidate for an episode once I learn a little more about your situation. I hope the colcon cancer is under control.

Actually, yes, it is something you are born with but only a small percentage of the people with it become symptomatic. Roughly 25-30% of the population globally has a myocardial bridge, however, less than one percent have been confirmed symptomatic. Now, could it be that over time, the bridge could create unseen/unfelt problems. Yes. Could it be that myocardial bridges are actually the cause of what looks like sudden cardiac arrest due to a restriction of blood flow to the heart that may appear to be simply an occluded LAD (widowmaker artery) when in fact it was the bridge that caused it? Quite possibly, yes.

Jeffrey, I understand your apprehension and concern. It is a very difficult decision. Due diligence and self-advocacy are everything for those of us with the condition. I would be happy to speak with you as well if you like. You can contact me through the website. www.myimperfectheart.com. I'm certainly a fan of the Stanford team but more importantly is everybody is unique and no two situations are identical so the outcomes are also going to be unique to the individual as well. I'm very happy to hear the steps you've currently taken and expect you'll be grappling with the final decision to do or not to do the surgery soon. Thank you for the comments as this is exactly why we're doing what we're doing.

Be sure to listen to episode 1 and the episode with Dr Boyd. There is hope. You'll need to find the appropriate cardiologist who will get you to a cardiac surgeon capable of doing the unroofing procedure. You can reach out to me on the website, "myimperfectheart.com" on the "contact" tab. I may be able to give you more support. Stay positive...there is hope and the condition does have remedies.

Can you please describe the pain you have? I have chest pain but I keep burping and farting it radiates to my left arm sometimes and lower left ribcage so im rather confused but my ct heart does write myocardial bridging! Thank you and take care!

Your pain is real and is likely being caused by the bridge. Especially since you're feeling it more upon exertion. You need to find a cardiologist who understands Myocardial Bridges. You've taken a big first step in that you identifiedi it on your report. Congratulations. Now you need to find a someone willing to accept that your situation needs attention. Keep us posted. Are you in the UK? @@LYJManchesterUnited

@imperfectheartpodcast7944 both my doctors dismiss it no, I'm in singapore they said my pain is from Gerd idk I'm scared of having a sudden heart attack any weird feelings from chest makes me panic idk what to do..

@@LYJManchesterUnited You're in Singapore... Look up Dr. Theodoros Kofidis. He is the preimier MB surgeon in Singapore and if you look thru the episodes, you'll find I did a program with him. He's wonderful.

You're on the right track now and I've seen on the Myocardial Bridge FB page that there is a Doctor in Greece that appears to be ramping up on the "unroofing" surgeries. He may be an option for you. If you would be interested, your story would be a good one to share for the Imperfect Heart podcast audience and I would love to speak with you about being a guest. Thanks for the comments. (you can reach me at jeff@hearmenowstudio.com

@@imperfectheartpodcast7944 hi hope your well,I’m in contact with him now and he has agreed to take me on after looking at my ct,I’m seeing my cardio guy Friday then making the decision so hopefully I can be there in October,very scary but I’m in so much pain now think it’s my only option👍🏻