Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Hey Heart Buddies! I welcome Dr. Marschall Runge, a leading expert in cardiovascular disease and AI in healthcare, this week to help us explore the transformative role of AI in heart health and discuss its potential to improve diagnostics and predict health outcomes. Runge shares insights into AI's ability to analyze complex medical data, enhancing preventive care and treatment precision. I ask him to address concerns about maintai...

A simple coronary artery calcium score test saved Bill's life.

Meet Bill Pollard, a heart patient from Chesapeake, Virginia. Bill shares his unique journey with a bicuspid valve and stents. At 50, Bill made lifestyle changes after discovering high calcium levels in his arteries. Despite undergoing open heart surgery for valve replacement, Bill resumed an active life, running and participating in fitness groups. His recovery story of...

Hey Heart Buddies! A heart murmur, congenital aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva, ruptured sinus of Valsalva into right ventricle, bicuspid aortic valve, persistent left superior vena cava and pacemaker... all in one extraordinary heart...

This week, I talk with my friend, Dawn Anderson, about her extraordinary heart health journey. Living in Adrian, Minnesota, Dawn shares her experience of discovering and surviving a rare aortic aneurys...

Hey Heart Buddies! I hope you have enjoyed this month's pelvic health series. In this final installment with Dr. Kelly Sadauckas, we unravel the mysteries of pelvic health and its crucial connection to overall wellness by using a unique interactive experience designed to teach you how to relax your pelvic floor. All you'll need is a simple towel and a quiet space. Ever wondered about the secrets of diaphragmatic breathing or how to...

Hey to all of my heart friends. This episode may be a tad cringy at times. Sorry, not sorry.

Curious about what happens after open-heart surgery that no one else seems to talk about? Dr. Kelly Sadauckas takes us on a journey into a post-operative topic that’s often overlooked: pooping. This episode sheds light on the intricate processes involved in digestion and bowel movement and reveals surprising ways to prepare for and recover...

Happy Valentine's Day to all my heart buddies. Today is an extra episode just for you! Expert Dr. Kelly Sadauckas and I continue our series this month as we explore post-surgery intimacy and pelvic health for heart surgery patients. In this episode, Dr. Kelly educates us on the significance of understanding concepts like metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) and cardiac rehab to ensure safe resumption of sexual activities. She explains...

Hey Heart Buddies! Our five-part series with pelvic health expert Dr. Kelly Sadauckas continues this week as we explore the surprising ties between erectile dysfunction and cardiac health. Discover why sexual health matters more than you might think and how it serves as an important marker for your overall wellbeing.

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Dr. Kelly Sadauckas brings her pelvic floor wisdom to the world as we explore the crucial link between pelvic health and your overall well-being in this first episode of our February series, Heart Surgery to Happy Pelvis. Dr. Kelly, with her 25 years of experience, busts the myths surrounding pelvic health issues—whether it's pee, poop, or the delicate topic of intimacy. You’ll discover why your recovery journey must go beyond just...

Hey Heart Buddies. This episode is so important. I welcome Julia Hotz, whose book, "The Connection Cure," is revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare. This episode takes a deep dive into how social prescribing—a practice that includes non-medical treatments such as art, movement, nature, and community involvement—can significantly enhance heart health and overall well-being. Julia shares compelling data and heartwarming stori...

Hey Heart Buddies! I welcome Kina Lucombe, who shares her story of cardiomyopathy and complete heart block.

Despite leading a healthy lifestyle as a pescatarian, Kina unexpectedly collapsed during yoga in February 2019. Diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and complete heart block, she required an emergency pacemaker surgery. Kina discusses the emotional aftermath and how it led her to found Hearts of Valor, a support organization for hea...

Hey Heart Buddies! Boots Knighton speaks with Lucinda McDermott about navigating heart health after discovering a severely leaking tricuspid valve. Lucinda shares her journey, from initial chest pain and fainting to being diagnosed with a heart murmur by her OB GYN. After mitral valve replacement in 2017, Lucinda faced additional challenges, including fragmented healthcare and dismissive cardiologists. Both Lucinda and Boots stress...

Hey Hey Heart Buddies and Happy New Year!

Season 5 of Open Heart Surgery with Boots is here. Wow. Thank you for being along for the ride that is this life and this podcast.

I had the honor of interviewing Jeremy Rothenberg who shares his incredible journey, which began with an Apple Watch alert and ended in a life-changing open-heart surgery. Jeremy reveals what it’s like to go from feeling healthy and fit to confronting a shocking ...

Hey Heart Buddies! For the last episode of 2024, I bring you one more bonus episode that was the most downloaded episode of 2024. Thank you to my childhood friend, Todd Sykes, for your willingness to tell your story. I love you.

Todd Sykes is a survivor and thriver of endocarditis, a stroke, and a brain aneurysm. At just 37, Todd faced life-threatening conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two heart surgeries and a rem...

Hey Heart Buddies! For the remainder of the year, I am bringing back the most downloaded episodes of the year.

First up is Joel Oliver! His "easy peasy" heart surgery story might surprise you. Joel takes us step by step through his mitral valve replacement journey, revealing moments of doubt, resilience, and unexpected challenges along the way. While Joel's surgery marked a significant event in his life, the real intrigue lies in h...

Hey Heart Buddies! Wow! This week's episode is what I needed when I was facing heart surgery and I know you'll find it super helpful too.

I interview Dr. Laura Suarez Pardo, a psychocardiologist from Mayo Clinic! Together, she and I explore how mental health impacts cardiac health. Dr. Suarez emphasizes the need for support programs for those with chronic heart conditions. The conversation underscores the importance of addressing ps...

Hey Heart Buddies! I welcome back Robyn Peacock for an update on her incredible journey for “Hope for the Holidays." This conversation is packed with Robyn’s reflections on her battles with an aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve. Learn about her physical triumphs and the often-overlooked mental health challenges that many heart patients face post-treatment. Robyn shares her newfound purpose working with Heart Valve Voice and ...

Hey Heart Friends. I sit down with previous guest, Jeff Holden, to explore the profound changes heart surgery brings into one's life. Jeff recaps his own battle against myocardial bridging, recounting the gratitude he feels every day. From open-heart surgery to life-altering dreams, Jeff unpacks the layers of his experiences, revealing how overcoming a near-fatal condition has fueled his passion for advocacy and storytelling. Curi...

Hey Heart Buddies! I am back for part two of Hope for the Holidays with Lisa Mihan who returns to share her incredible progress post-myectomy. Lisa was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but never gave up. She has transformed from struggling with daily symptoms to thriving on the tennis court and embracing a more vibrant life. This episode isn't just about physical recovery—it's about overcoming mental and emotional hurdles...

Hey Heart Buddies! I'm Boots Knighton, your guide through our special holiday series, "Hope for the Holidays." Today, we're revisiting a truly inspiring story that embodies resilience and hope in its purest form. Our guest is none other than Bill Wingate, a remarkable individual hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. Bill’s journey is a testament to the human spirit, having endured four major open-heart surgeries, seven heart valve repl...