• Episode 31: What to Say to Your Primary Care Physician When You’re Experiencing Chest Pain.

  • Jun 12 2024
  • Length: 39 mins
  • Podcast

Episode 31: What to Say to Your Primary Care Physician When You’re Experiencing Chest Pain.

  • Summary

  • Have you ever wondered why some heart conditions slip through the cracks? I do. And myocardial bridges are one of those conditions. Join me as I speak with my very own primary care physician, Dr. Thomas Hopkins, more affectionately known as Dr. Tom. He joins us to unpack the mysteries of diagnosing chest pain in the hopes we can catch a symptomatic myocardial bridge sooner rather than later. With a journey that spans from aspiring heart surgeon to passionate primary care physician, Dr. Tom brings a unique perspective on cardiac health. This episode uncovers the critical importance of educating both patients and healthcare providers about myocardial bridges—a frequently misdianosed but potentially fatal condition. Dr. Tom walks us through a comprehensive approach to diagnosing chest pain, ensuring that no deadly condition is overlooked. From initial assessments to advanced diagnostic tests, Dr. Tom explains the systematic pathway to accurately diagnose cardiac conditions from the perspective of a primary care physician or general practitioner. We delve into the limitations of primary care settings and the indispensable role of timely referrals to cardiologists. The urgency of quick action is highlighted, especially when conditions like myocardial bridging are suspected. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand the nuances of cardiac diagnostics and the vital need for vigilance in recognizing heart issues, especially if you or a loved one are experiencing chest pain that makes no sense. Effective communication between patients and their physicians is paramount for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Tom emphasizes the importance of patients sharing their symptoms, risk factors, and behaviors openly with their doctors. He provides key questions to guide these conversations, ensuring timely interventions and specialist referrals. This episode not only highlights the clinical significance of myocardial bridges but also underscores the value of expressing gratitude for medical support. By fostering mutual respect and teamwork in the patient-doctor relationship, the greater the likelihood the condition can be diagnosed in a timely and proper manner to get the proper treatment before something more serious occurs. It's both Dr. Tom's and you know my belief, that there are many out there who are going to experience only one symptom from a myocardial bridge and that's sudden cardiac arrest. Starting the conversation correctly from the beginning may just help save lives and improve lifestyles sooner for those getting proper diagnosis. Here's the website link to: Dr. Thomas Hopkins To learn more about myocardial bridges visit: My Imperfect Heart To see our guests you can watch Imperfect Heart on YouTube Episode Highlights(00:05 - 01:05) Medical Journey Towards Cardiac Surgery (09:55 - 11:15) Diagnostic Tests for Chest Pain (14:54 - 16:05) Patient-Doctor Interaction for Proper Diagnosis (23:39 - 24:57) Addressing Patient Honesty and Care Coordination (30:34 - 31:49) Connecting Patients With Myocardial Bridge Chapter Summaries (00:00) Diagnosing Chest Pain in Patients This chapter welcomes Dr. Thomas Hopkins, also known as Dr. Tom, to discuss his transition from aspiring heart surgeon to primary care physician and his ongoing interest in cardiac health. We explore the topic of myocardial bridges—a condition not widely known even among medical professionals—and emphasize the importance of educating both patients and healthcare providers. Dr. Tom outlines the systematic approach his practice takes when a patient presents with chest pain, emphasizing the need to consider a broad range of potential causes, from cardiac issues to gastrointestinal and mental health factors. The goal is to ensure nothing potentially deadly is overlooked, using a comprehensive checklist that includes listening to the patient's story, assessing risk factors, and understanding behaviors that might contribute ...
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