Imperfect Heart
Claim This Podcastby Jeff Holden
Podcast Authority
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Podcast Overview
<p>Imperfect Heart is a podcast designed for, hosted by and recorded with those affected by or involved with the care and support for those with the birth defect of a Myocardial Bridge. Interviews with healthcare professionals, support professionals and those navigating their way through the often challenging process of diagnosis and treatment are the focus of the content. It’s their stories that are meant to inform, educate and even entertain in an effort to insure hope for the listener that what they are experiencing is real, that they are not alone and that there is hope for relief from the varied symptoms of a Myocardial Bridge. <br><br>The host, Jeff Holden, has his own story to tell from symptom to diagnosis to treatment thus giving him insight and empathy as well as experience in the process of advocating for the patient. The program also seeks to make the healthcare industry more aware of the real symptoms of Myocardial Bridges with an aim to eliminate the gaslighting that is so prevalent around this defect and directly address the reality that Myocardial Bridges may be responsible for many more deaths from sudden cardiac arrest than previously thought. Early diagnosis and treatment could not only improve but may actually save lives when properly applied. More information can be found on the podcast website, www.myimperfectheart.com.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/5/2023
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Recent Episodes
April 7, 2026
Imperfect Heart NewsPod: From Patient to Advocate—Kaylin Kellert Goes Red for Women with the American Heart Association
In this Imperfect Heart NewsPod, I reconnect with Kaylin Kellert—two years removed from her myocardial bridge unroofing surgery and now living a life she describes as “night and day” from before. Kaylin shares an honest update on her recovery journey, including the ups and downs that came with it, and the sense of peace she’s found on the other side. But this conversation isn’t just about where she’s been—it’s about what she’s doing now. After a chance moment at an American Heart Association ...
December 16, 2025
Episode 62: Denied, Then Delivered: The Rest of Pete Furman's Story Post-Open Heart Surgery. How He MADE It Happen.
When I first spoke with Pete Furman in Episode 36, his health was failing, his options felt limited, and the road ahead was anything but clear. He was living with a myocardial bridge, drug therapy wasn’t working, and insurance had just denied his preferred surgeon. Everything felt urgent — and uncertain.In this follow-up conversation, Pete returns to share what happened next.We talk about how he navigated insurance denial, found a local cardiac surgeon willing to listen and learn, and ultimately underwent open-heart surgery to fully unroof his myocardial bridge. Pete walks us through the questions he asked, the promises he insisted on, and how self-advocacy became a matter of survival.But this episode goes far beyond the operating room. Pete opens up about the emotional toll on his family, the anxiety leading up to surgery, and recording messages “just in case.” He also shares a surprising post-surgery discovery — that part of his ongoing struggle wasn’t his heart at all, but how he was breathing — and how retraining his body helped him reclaim strength he hadn’t felt in years.Today, more than a year after surgery, Pete is back on his bike, training again, and setting his sights on racing in 2026.If you’re facing a myocardial bridge diagnosis, wrestling with insurance, or wondering whether it’s possible to truly get your life back, this conversation is proof that it is — even when the path looks imperfect.Pete's Doctor in Arizona was Dr. Modesto Colon with Phoenix Cardiac SurgeryChapter Timestamps00:00 – Welcome Back & Where Pete’s Story Left OffPete returns to Imperfect Heart and recaps his diagnosis, failed drug therapy, and the critical decisions he faced after Episode 36.08:45 – Insurance Denial & Finding the Right SurgeonHow a denied robotic surgery led Pete to a local, in-network cardiac surgeon — and the questions that mattered most.24:30 – The Surgery Decision: Sternotomy vs RoboticWhy Pete chose open-heart surgery, what “fully unroofing” meant to him, and the promises he required before saying yes.41:10 – Fear, Family, and Facing the UnknownThe emotional weight of declining health, preparing his family, and recording messages “just in case.”57:40 – Recovery, Setbacks, and a Surprising BreakthroughPost-surgery struggles, breathing dysfunction, and how retraining his body changed everything.1:15:20 – Life One Year Later: Riding, Racing, and HopePete’s return to the bike, future goals, advice for others starting this journey, and why advocacy matters.
October 8, 2025
Episode 61: Coronary Artery Bypass Advantage - Dr. Christopher Kwon's Non-Traditional Approach to Myocardial Bridge Unroofing.
This may be one of those episodes that could be considered controversial and I hope it does prompt questions. Dr. ChristopherKwon is a highly experienced cardiac surgeon whose practice in Lake Havasu, Arizona has brought him face-to-face with a growing number of patients living with symptomatic Myocardial Bridges.What made this conversation so compelling is Dr. Kwon’s dual approach—he doesn’t just perform the standard unroofing procedure. He also chooses to bypass the artery in the same operation, giving his patients the greatest chance for long-term relief, in his expert opinion. As he says, it’s a “belts and suspenders” approach.We talk about everything related to the bridge unroofing procedure.* The fear patients have around sternotomy,* The diagnostic process including provocative testing,* The reality of competitive flow in grafts,* The insurance coding challenges that can delay care,* And, perhaps most importantly, how critical it is to advocate for yourself.Whether you're a patient, a caregiver, or a provider trying to better understand this often-dismissed condition, I believe this episode can give you clarity, confidence, and hope.???? In This Episode, We Cover:* Dr. Kwon’s path from aspiring engineer to heart surgeon* Why sternotomy isn’t as scary as it sounds* His unique method: unroofing + bypass for added protection* When provocative testing is useful—but not always required* What to know about LIMA grafts and long-term outcomes* Why some cardiologists still dismiss this condition—and what he tells them* The importance of second opinions and listening to your gut* How insurance coding can make or break your surgery approval* Plus... Dr. Kwon’s life outside the OR, including his two standard poodles ???????? Guest Info:Dr. KwonCardiac Surgeon – Havasu Regional Medical Center, ArizonaPhone: 928-453-0890Contact info: https://www.havasuregional.com/find-a-doctor/provider/1225074867???? Resources:* Website: www.myimperfectheart.com* Book: Imperfect Heart: Stories of Myocardial Bridges – Now available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=imperfect+heart&crid=1L7X9VGUKFR4K&sprefix=imperfect+hear%2Caps%2C187&ref=nb_sb_noss_2) or any digital platform where you find your books/ebooks/audio books.Chapter Summaries(00:00) Cardiac Surgeon Discusses Myocardial BridgesDr. Kwan's journey to becoming a cardiac surgeon, his 21-year career, advancements in cardiac surgery, and treating myocardial bridges.(11:34) Bypass Graft and Competitive Flow DiscussionNature's intricacies of bypass grafts, specifically LEMA and its interaction with competitive flow, surgical strategies, and decision-making processes in complex cardiac surgeries.(20:14) Discussion on Myocardial Bridge TreatmentMyocardial bridging treatment, stenting and surgery, sudden cardiac death, patient self-advocacy, and maintaining well-being through family, pets, and nature.(34:52) Bypass and Unroofing Procedure DiscussionDr. Korn shares insights on unroofing bypass surgery, making complex medical information accessible and concludes with a light-hearted exchange about his dogs.
73 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Imperfect Heart?
<p>Imperfect Heart is a podcast designed for, hosted by and recorded with those affected by or involved with the care and support for those with the birth defect of a Myocardial Bridge. Interviews with healthcare professionals, support professionals and those navigating their way through the often challenging process of diagnosis and treatment are the focus of the content. It’s their stories that are meant to inform, educate and even entertain in an effort to insure hope for the listener that what they are experiencing is real, that they are not alone and that there is hope for relief from the varied symptoms of a Myocardial Bridge. <br><br>The host, Jeff Holden, has his own story to tell from symptom to diagnosis to treatment thus giving him insight and empathy as well as experience in the process of advocating for the patient. The program also seeks to make the healthcare industry more aware of the real symptoms of Myocardial Bridges with an aim to eliminate the gaslighting that is so prevalent around this defect and directly address the reality that Myocardial Bridges may be responsible for many more deaths from sudden cardiac arrest than previously thought. Early diagnosis and treatment could not only improve but may actually save lives when properly applied. More information can be found on the podcast website, www.myimperfectheart.com.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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