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Neil Gets A Very Interesting Second Opinion Before Heart Valve Surgery

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 13, 2025

If there is one question I alllllllllllllllll-ways ask patients preparing for heart valve surgery, it is the following, "Did you get a second opinion?"

I can not emphasize this enough.

Recently, I had a discussion with Neil (a 48-year old husband, father and very smart businessman from the East Coast). As our discussion began, Neil jumped right to the topic of valve selection: mechanical versus tissue.

I said, "HOOOOOLLLLD ON!!! Did you get a second opinion?"

Neil said, "Ummm. No... My cardiologist is one of the best around!"

I said cautiously, "Hmmm. Okay... But it might be worth it to get some extra feedback."

Second Opinions for Heart Valve Patients

Guess what?

Neil took my advice. He got a second opinion.

Another... Guess what?

The second cardiologist noticed something different from the primary cardiologist. Now, Neil may delay his heart valve replacement surgery AND he may be able to have an aortic valve repair instead of a valve replacement!!!

So you know, this does not always happen. In my case, my second opinion completely agreed with my cardiologist. (In fact, Dr. Chaikin accelerated the timing of my surgery.) However, knowing that both cardiologists agreed on my aortic stenosis diagnosis put my mind at ease.

Remember, as the graph above shows, about 35% of patients do not get second opinions. Please do not be one of them!

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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