From Chest Pain to Myocardial Bridge Diagnosis and Surgery at Stanford

From Chest Pain to Myocardial Bridge Diagnosis and Surgery at Stanford, Jeff Holden recounts a life-changing episode that shifted his perspective on health, empathy, and purpose. An avid cyclist, Jeff was blindsided by a severe medical emergency that defied his otherwise stellar physical condition. This episode dives into the mystery of his heart condition, the surreal experiences during his recovery, and the transformative moments that followed. Plus, discover how Jeff's journey led him to launch a new podcast aimed at helping others dealing with similar health issues.

Show notes:

0:00 Introduction

1:40 "What gets you up in the morning?"

2:05 Jeff dives into his story starting with the Death Ride in July 2021

3:30 By August, he was experiencing a deep burning in his chest

5:00 Sees his primary physician who recommends he sees his cardiologist

6:00 By that Thursday, he woke at 5:45am with all the sensations of a heart attack, 911 is called and the EMTs find a heart attack and he's wheeled out of his house to the ambulance with a pulse of 46

8:00 Jeff has a catherization and nothing is found

9:20 He starts cardiac rehab and was experiencing PVCs which became problematic in addition to vasospasms

10:10 Jeff tries multiple medications

11:00 Last day of cardiac rehab September 2021 where he had "the sensation" after climbing stairs in the garage

11:50 The cardiologist calls and calls Jeff to the hospital as he had just had ventricular tachycardia episode. As in RIGHT NOW. His spasm episodes were triggering the tachycardia.

13:45 Electrophysiologist casually mentions Jeff has a myocardial bridge but that it is benign but Jeff pushes back

14:30 Jeff asks for a bypass of the LAD that is bridged but the doctor says, "we don't do that"

15:00 Jeff's cardiologist says "it's beyond us" and recommends provocative testing

15:30 Stanford is recommended and he sees Dr. Tremmel

16:30 Jeff learns his myocardial bridge is 40mm long and when he is experiencing vasospasms in the LAD, it is 98% blocked

17:20 Jeff had unroofing surgery at Stanford January 4, 2022

17:50 prior to surgery, Jeff quizzes Dr. Jack Boyd on his success rate which is great coaching for listeners. Take note!

18:45 Boots recommends the Myocardial Bridge Facebook group which is a treasure trove of information

20:10 Jeff feels much improvement since his unroofing

21:10 Jeff connects with a marathon runner who also had unroofing in August 2021 and is doing well too

22:00 Jeff and Boots met through the Facebook group thankfully.

22:30 Jeff revisits why he gets up in the morning

23:00 how we have to be our own best advocate.

23:30 Jeff shares what he did to recover in addition to prepping for surgery including having the pre-surgery to surgery which is semi-comical.

25:30 Jeff felt the power of prayer

27:00 recovery was a little rough. He did not "dig" ICU at all. Sleep deprivation was an issue.

28:00 Jeff takes control of his recovery.

28:40 Boots shares her ICU story with Jeff.

29:20 Jeff is sent home and his wife promptly gets sick. He even empties the dish washer.

30:00 Minor blip and Jeff has to go to the ER and then comes down with Covid!

31:00 Jeff and Boots reminisce about the heart pillow

31:30 Boots asks Jeff what surprised him the most about open-heart surgery

32:20 Boots asks what has been most helpful?

33:10 Jeff laments how his wife was impacted

34:30 Grace, gratitude, appreciation for the medical community

34:50 He never felt sorry for himself. He just asked a lot of questions and did what he had to do to survive.

36:00 He believes there is a reason why all of this happened the way it happened.

37:00 Jeff shares about an important dream.

39:10 Jeff asks Boots if she had an important dream, and she shares the impact on her empathic and intuitive abilities.

41:10 Jeff and Boots talk about how heart surgery changes you.

42:00 Keep your sense of humor!

42:40 Survivors' guilt

43:30 Jeff shares his podcast, Imperfect Heart and how he hopes to change the conversation around myocardial bridging.

46:00 outro

Find Jeff Holden at My Imperfect Heart – Support for those with Myocardial Bridges.

Website: The Heart Chamber (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

Transcript: Joyful Beat | The Heart Chamber (theheartchamberpodcast.com)

The Heart Chamber (@theheartchamberpodcast)

Thanks to Michael Moeri for being my right hand man. Michael Moeri - Audio Editor, Podcast Producer and Marketing Director

Thanks to Denise Hardy for your support and believing in me. linkedin.com/in/denise-hardy-30a51086

Music by AudioCoffee