[mrsanborn]

Originally Posted by BBQMan

GG, I applaud your support of Physicians you believe to be capable. Unfortunately, in my experience, they are not. We draw the physicians who cannot make a living in anything other than a Medicare environment. In my case, I had a heart problem that required a pacemaker. The pacemaker was installed, (put in place) by a surgeon in a large cardiac practice, with a Villages office. The procedure was done at LRMC. Nothing got better. I had a series of tests over the next few months. Action resulting - zero. Choosing to try to live, I went to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. The initial office exam showed that my pacemaker was not working correctly. The Medtronic rep confirmed this.

Initial surgery was done to repair the pacemaker. Surgery showed that (1) one of the two leads was never attached; (2) the other lead had very high impedance; and (3) it was not the right pacemaker to start with. The surgeon, at a subsequent operation put in place a three lead, biventricular pacemaker. I'm doing well now, thanks to Mayo and in no way thanks to to the local cardiologists. If it were up to them, I'd be dead.

I had a similar experienced with my wife. She fell and broke her hip. I interrupted the surgery to discover that after 45 minutes, they did not have an IV capable of providing the need meds to her. If this is not incompetence, please define it for me.

My encouragement to my fellow Villagers is (1) if you need a flu shot go to you local doctor; (2) if you have any reason to believe your may seriously ill – get out of town! The physicians in the Villages settled here either to retire or because they were not accepted as competent by their peers. No one came here to blaze new trails or be a leader in their specialty.

I too had an ICD/Pacemaker implanted at LRMC. I also felt the care I received at LRMC was of very high quality. What I don't understand through your experience is why didn't the Medtronics tech find these problems at the time of the implantation? The device is tested either the day of implantation or the very next day.

I would have think that you have a giant malpractice suit going on against this Village practice and the surgeon that preformed the operation. So, have your attorney's issued a gag order or are you going to name names?

Your number 2 is quite a statement. My cardiologist is Dr. Brian Saluck who I would highly recommend. He is in his 40's and has a very impressive bio so I don't believe he came here to retire just yet.

[BBQMan]

I'm glad to know that you were satisfied with the treatment you received and the outcome was good. As for a lawsuit, I've been involved in two of them (neither medically connected) and came out of them never wanting to be involved in one again although I did 'win' in both cases. The truth of the matter is that the attorneys won as they do in most suits. Life is too short to waste it on things that really do not matter.

I maintain that my advice to get out of The Villages is valid. Even if you have a great physician, the requisite support does not exist here. Ask yourself the question, "If my physician is as good as I believe, why isn't he/she practicing in a major medical center?"

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I don't think I said anything in support of any local medical institution. I haven't consulted anyone here for cancer or heart, we return to Cincinnati for those continued medical evaluations. I have no experience with local hospitals. We see a GP here.

You sound like my uncle who used to visit us once a year in Miami when I was a kid. If he had any need for a doctor he would cut his visit short and catch the next plane to Pittsburgh because that was the only place to get good doctors. One year he left the next day after arriving because he got a toothache.

[shrink]

oic

[shrink]

Originally Posted by gemorc

Sorry Shrink, I do not understand. By not posting this doctors name, you cast aspersions on all LOCAL cardiologists. Maybe it is my doctor, I don't know. If you are going to post a thread like this, have the nerve to state the facts.

Well, if you are willing to pay my legal expenses if I post this doctor's name and am sued for slander, please let me know that. Give me access to your bank account, and I'll gladly do as you suggest. Maybe if you would read my description of what happened, along with my suggestion to check internet sites such as vitals.com, you could be a bit more informed and protected. Why do you think I posted? It was to save people such as yourself from having a similar experience. Best of luck.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

BULL-Oney!!!! Non-Invasive Cardiologists do not do these surgeries. They are trained in internal medicine first and are not surgeons.

You paint with a broad brush the very professionals people need both before and during a life-threatening disease/condition.

I clearly stated "most of them", not all of them, and I stand by my statement. Cardiologists are trained for both but the only difference is the non-invasive approach does not employ catheters, ballons, and stents.

They are in business, just like any other business, to make money.

The pharmacist on this site agrees with me as he once pointed out that doctors [more often than not] choose to protect their butts by overtreating their patients (rather than relying on natural means). So, I repeat, be warry of all heart doctors.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by 784caroline

DISAGREE ....DISAGREE a post like this is a disservice to all. There are good and bad Doctors in all fields and each individual doctor has his/her standard method of diagonsis. Yes they do make money ...why shouldnt they....but if I need a heart DR. hopefully I will select one based on referrals/recommendations.

I DISAGREE.....DISAGREE.....DISAGREE. (My three "DISAGREES" beat your two disagrees)

My post is not a disservice because it warns people to be cautious (as apposed to uncautious and laxidasical) No one should go through life blindly trusting everyone. We all know there are good and bad doctors; that's why people need to be warry of all doctors. One can never know for sure whether a doctor will turn out to be good or bad, even with a friend's recommendation.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You are again, in my opinion, proceeding from inaccurate information.

Here is the index page from The Mayo Clinic's book. Heart Healthy for Life.

They are first interested in life changes, stepping up exercise and changing your diet.


Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life

Yes, but that's a book, not a doctor. My local library is full of good books and some of them are about heart care.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

And here is from preventative health information page from The Cleveland Clinic, The Best in the country for problems with the heart and cardiovascular system
Heart & Vascular Health and Prevention


Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation

The Section of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation helps those who already have heart and vascular disease and those who are at high risk of developing it.
Individualized & Group Prevention Programs

Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation offers a multidisciplinary approach to preventing the occurrence or progression of cardiovascular disease: nutritional services, prescriptive exercise programs, stress testing, multiple cardiovascular risk reduction programs, peripheral vascular rehabilitation program in collaboration with Vascular Medicine, comprehensive cardiovascular care for women, and educational programs for patients and healthcare providers.

• Learn about Hot Topics in Prevention by our Prevention experts

Nutrition Services

• Learn about our remote nutrition counseling or our on-site Nutrition Program
• Try our great recipes
• Learn what's new in nutrition news - New!
• Diet and Nutrition Information: Nutrition Strategies

Group Exercise Programs and Individual Exercise Consultation

• Exercise to good health: Exercise Information

Specialized Programs for Women and Teens

• Learn more about Women's Cardiovascular Health
• Pediatric Preventive Cardiology and Metabolic Clinic

Learn More About These Prevention Topics:

• Cholesterol
• High Blood Pressure
• Integrative- Healing Heart Therapies
• Weight Management
• Diabetes
• Evaluation of Risk Factors
• Stress & Emotion
• Women & Prevention

Web Chats

• Read transcripts of past web chats

Interactive Tools

• Take the cholesterol quiz
• Body Mass Index Calculator

Reviewed: 08/12


.

Lots of information but I didn't find anywhere to "click on" to find out their diet recommendations for reversing coronary artery disease. So that leaves me skeptical. In my mind it means the clinic doesn't want to do anything that substantive which could potentially take business away from doctors.

[Villages PL]

Deleted duplicate post

[rubicon]

The OP comments are instructive concerning the need for each of us to be good consumers of medical services and products. it also is instructive as to te conflict presented to health carriers. simply stated trying to determine which medical professions are ordering unnecessary and/or over priced testing, drugs, therapies, etc.

Medical professionals like all of us are in business to make a living but also charged with our care. Most are good caring people.

I left myprimary care doc here because he in my opinion was ordering unnecessary testing ,etc. Conversely, I have a cardiologist that substitutes as my primary care doc and he is very professional and caring.

Conversely I can tell you that I had the number one surgeon in the State of Minnesota in his field. A surgeon my specialist, who was also listed as the number one in the State in his field, said was the surgeon doctors go to for care

I won't bore you with details, but Ttis number one surgeon almost killed me leaing me in what was termed grave conditions and left me in hopsital care for 31 days, the need for a drug induced coma and 4 months of rhab at home.

Speak up when at the docotr's office for both of your benefits.

[Shirleevee]

Originally Posted by mrsanborn

I too had an ICD/Pacemaker implanted at LRMC. I also felt the care I received at LRMC was of very high quality. What I don't understand through your experience is why didn't the Medtronics tech find these problems at the time of the implantation? The device is tested either the day of implantation or the very next day.

I would have think that you have a giant malpractice suit going on against this Village practice and the surgeon that preformed the operation. So, have your attorney's issued a gag order or are you going to name names?

Your number 2 is quite a statement. My cardiologist is Dr. Brian Saluck who I would highly recommend. He is in his 40's and has a very impressive bio so I don't believe he came here to retire just yet.

We are from NY where health care is excellent. My husband had a stent done here by a Cardiologist we liked very much and one year later surgery for and AAA.....we liked the Thoracic surgeon too.....not every great doctor can work at the Cleveland Clinic or Columbia Pres........in our experience, there are great doctors everywhere. JMHO

[shrink]

Carl, thanks for writing. I need to tell you that in this case, "runs like an assembly line" does NOT represent a well organized and efficient office. My cardiologist up North and I requested FIVE TIMES that records be sent. It wasn't until I threatened legal action that the records were sent. Of course, they showed no problem, no need for further investigation, etc. That's the reason the requests were ignored in the first place. You're right...after the fact billing IS too late. And re: the treadmill test, there was absolutely no reason why I couldn't have taken that test. I quit smoking 25 years ago, am not obese, etc. I was never given the option, nor from what I could see, is anyone else who is a patient there. Your point that I should have directed others to vitals.com is very well taken, and I will do that in the future should I run across (heaven forbid) another such practitioner. Thanks again.

[shrink]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

You confuse me.

A nuclear stress test can be executed either on a treadmill or through the use of chemical stimulation of your heart. It all depends upon whether you are physically capable of exercising on the treadmill long enough to get your heart to the target heart rate.

In either case, treadmill or chemical, the thing that makes it a nuclear stress test is based upon the injection of nuclear material into your blood stream before the test begins.

You condemn an office that is "run like an assembly line." Couldn't that also be characterized as simply being well organized and efficient?

You say that one should steer clear if you get bills that do not reflect what was actually done. By then it's too late to steer clear.

Your original post, although possibly well meaning, is totally valueless because of your failure to provide the name of the doctor.

Perhaps you could have simply recommended that people should check out that doctor by name on the web site where you say others have criticized him.

Originally Posted by mrsyarbie

I don't understand, if you had no symptoms what prompted you to seek a cardiologist? Did you have angina? or shortness of breath? did you have fainting spells ?? feelings of discomfort when you exert yourself, you said you were asymptomatic but angina comes in many forms not just chest pain so I find your remarks confusing... I worked for USF Health Cardiology for 16 years and can recommend many excellant cardiologists just 90 minutes away if you like.A nuclear test is done rather than a treadmill test for many reasons for example because heavy smokers usually tire out and develop shortness breath before the test can be completed properly and diagnosed , or also in cases of obesity. Hope if you have any type of cardiac related disease like hypertension you will continue to seek care..

Hello. If you read the entire thread, you would understand why I initially agreed to have some tests done. The doctor scared me half to death! The conversation came up while my husband was being tested (and by the way, also without symptoms, but had been referred by another "good ol' boy"...."just to be on the safe side"). I was advised that it would be in my best interest due to a past ( I quit 25 years ago) hx of smoking and a family history of heart disease. However, I had and have no symptoms. I was told that I could drop dead any second even without symptoms. It has since dawned on me that I can be stuck by a car, lightning, or a wayward crane bucket and die without any warning, too. Should I be tested for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? This was not good medicine; it was simply a means for lining the pocket of a greedy and unscrupulous individual (IMHO!).

[sandybill2]

I worked in Cardiology office for 30+ years---started out assisting and at the time of my retirement was the Business Office Manager. The charge you saw for 174.00 for treadmill test that you said you didn't actually have was probably for supplies. When billing is done--each and every component of the test has a separate CPT code (this is a universal code that tells the insurance companies what is being billed) I am guessing that this code and charge was probably for supplies---maybe even the Nuclear infusion that was done. Can't be sure but I would imagine if you went to the Cardiology office for a Cardiostress test the charge would be more than 174.00.