Valve Day Patient Spotlight: From Tragedy to TAVR Triumph, This Is Donna's Story
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: February 22, 2021
Donna Hartley has struggled with many health challenges during her life - malnourishment, heart disease, a plane crash, cancer and then... more heart disease.
In this video, Donna shares her extraordinary journey to a healthy heart that included surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and a Medtronic transcatheter aortic valve re-replacement (TAVR) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Video available online at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EUxtqKlkw8
Donna shares several important facts and considerations about heart valve surgery in this video including being your own best patient advocate, researching your surgeon/cardiologist/medical team, having a positive attitude, and setting goals for an enhanced recovery.
Donna received her TAVR Valve-in-Valve at El Camino Health under the direct care of Dr. Vincent Gaudiani (surgeon) and Dr. Chad Rammohan (interventional cardiologist).
Related Heart Valve Day Articles:
Keep on tickin' Donna!
Adam
Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder
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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Blog Categories
- Adam's Updates
- Aneurysms
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Aortic Valve Replacement
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Before Surgery
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Heart Valve Replacement
- Medical Technology
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Patient Stories
- Pulmonary Valve
- Recovery
- Ross Procedure
- Surgeons & Hospitals
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