All Things Heart - Aortic Aneurysm

Irma Starr is a nationally acclaimed artist living here in Kansas City. She’s had her work featured in museums across America. Irma was in her 80s when doctors told her she had a large aneurysm on her aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood away from your heart to the rest of your body. Doctors were worried her aneurysm would explode. The American Heart Association reports aneurysms can develop for many years and often have no symptoms. Most recent statistics from the CDC found aortic aneurysms caused nearly 10,000 deaths in the United States in 2018. Irma’s years of art and her heart collided. She spoke with fellow artist and the University of Kansas Health System cardiologist Dr. Charlie Porter. He connected her with her thoracic surgeon, Dr. Greg Muehlebach. All Things Heart explores the risks of an aortic aneurysm and the preventative steps you can take starting today.
Guests:
Irma Starr, Patient
Dr. Greg Muehlebach, Thoracic Surgeon
Dr. Peter Downey, Thoracic Surgeon
Dr. Todd Crawford, Thoracic Surgeon
Visit our website, www.kansashealthsystem.com or findadoctor.kansashealthsystem.com.

[@jdsguam]

What kind of Heart Surgery can one expect from Medicare? I'm not very confident as a 70 yr old with a TAA of 4.5cm.

[@hezebelbeing]

Now I have to figure out how to get to see these Drs and their Team. I am in Canada and if anyone reading this knows who the best in my country is? Thank you.

[@callistaoberg7124]

You would have to go to the US and get an appointment to see those Drs. You would have to pay for the procedures your local health care won't pay for it. Good Luck.

[@hezebelbeing]

@@callistaoberg7124 Yes. I have since found a very experienced Cardiologist and Vascular surgeon. I’m confident. Thank you!