I went through a few cardiologists, but along the way built an ongoing file of echo and cath reports, and got video tape copies of all my tests. I recommend to anyone with advanced valve disease to do the same, so that you're readily portable to another doctor or hospital.
My experience with Dr. hopping:
First guy tells me my valve leaks pretty badly, that I'll probably need surgery some day, maybe in 10-20 years. That prompted several questions from me...but he just told me to wait until symptoms prevented me from riding my bike, then he'd worry about it...then he threw me out because he was very important and busy.
Determined to find another doc, I requested a copy of my echo report and video. While waiting for my appt w/ the new guy, I compared my condition and echo values with those in the American College of Cardiology guidelines (
http://www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/valvular/). My $0.02 home diagnosis was that I needed surgery NOW...and that waiting for symptoms was waiting too long.
Next guy similarly said he didn't think it was time. I pulled out a highlighted copy of the ACC guidelines and asked him to reconcile the guidelines w/ his opinion...he looked bewildered like a deer caught in headlinghts..."Next!"
I finally landed with a guy who actually knew management protocol and surgery indications, and was willing to talk to me (but I even had a second opinion on his opinion at the Cleveland Clinic, because by then I was getting skeptical). Finally convinced that I landed with a guy who cared and who knew what he was doing, we kept close tabs on my condition over the next two years (turns out I did have some time before surgery, but nowhere near the 10-20 years that the first guy said I had. ) When it was finally "time," he referred me to a surgeon. That guy told me my valve was not repairable, that I'd definitely need an artificial. Time for another opinion. I Fed-ex'd a copy of my most recent echo and cath report/video to a mitral valve specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. The CC surgeon called back 2 days later...said he could repair the valve and that his nurse practitioner was ready to schedule surgery for me.
End of story is that my valve was successfully repaired in Jan 02, and I'm free of coplications and drugs (except a daily baby aspirin).
It's unfortunate, but you can't solely rely on Dr. credentials and take what they say at face value. My advice: if your cardiologist is too busy or disinterested to communicate with you, find another one. Corroborate what they tell you with another source (specialist or reference material). Don't be afraid to fire somebody you don't have confidence in.
