Hey Heart Buddies! So sorry for the delay in the next season. I'm working hard to heal and am beginning to interview future guests now. So much more is coming! Be sure to follow so you don't miss future episodes.

The latest episode of Open Heart Surgery offers an unfiltered glimpse into Boots Knighton's recent heart surgery journey, revealing the raw emotions and challenges she faced along the way. Joined by her close friend Melissa, Boots recounts the series of events that led to her surgery, including the medical missteps that compounded her struggles and the eventual diagnosis that changed her course of treatment. Throughout the episode, Boots navigates her feelings of fear, vulnerability, and hope, providing a candid look at the psychological toll of living with heart issues. The conversation not only sheds light on the medical aspects of her journey but also emphasizes the significance of having a reliable support system during such trying times. As Boots shares her post-surgery experiences, including the process of regaining her strength and the joy of rediscovering her quality of life, she offers encouragement to others facing similar health challenges. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own journeys, fostering a sense of solidarity and inspiration as they navigate their unique paths toward healing.

A special thank you to my husband, Jason, my stepmom, Anne-Marie, and friends, Kelly and Annie, for being with me while I was in the hospital. More thanks to Denise, Rose, Will, and Becky for taking incredible care of our animals, Hamilton, Magnus and Pearl, as well as our house. Thanks to my dad, Ernest, and Anne-Marie, for hosting Jason and me once I was out of the hospital so I could recover at sea level.

I love you. Remember, your heart is your best friend.

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

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**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

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Boots Knighton says her greatest teacher has been her heart thanks to a surprise diagnosis in 2020 (during the pandemic) of three different congenital heart defects. She is now thriving after her 2nd open-heart surgery on November, 2025 and is on a mission to raise awareness through her podcast, Open Heart Surgery with Boots, that heart surgery can be an incredible opportunity to begin again in life and live life wide open.

Hey Heart Buddies. It's been a long while since I last aired an episode. Sorry for that. In this episode, I get into the reason for my absence with the help of my dear dear friend, Melissa Snider. We cover her heart journey as well which includes two valvular issues.

We talk medical gaslighting (which I have talked extensively about on this podcast in the past), more about advocating for self, and my amazing experience at Cleveland Clinic so far. Since the recording of this episode, I have experienced more decline, and Cleveland is working hard on my behalf to get me better. The future is unknown. I have the attention of the very best doctors in the world now but the plan is still in flux.

"You get to hire and fire your team. And if you’re new to this podcast or you’re newly diagnosed, I just want to make sure that you are hearing this and will apply it to your own healthcare journey... You should still be honored by your healthcare provider, even if you just have a hangnail." – Boots Knighton

Be sure to follow/subscribe to this podcast to get more updates from me and so you won't miss the next season (when I feel up for recording). I'm not done yet! xo

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

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"I grabbed the door handle, and it felt like somebody just cut up my chest with a dull butter knife. And 15 seconds later I was lying face down on the kitchen floor dead from cardiac tamponade at that point in time."

Hey Heart Buddies. Whew. Today's episode with Jon Toivonen whose heart story literally stopped—and restarted—multiple times is one to help you take stock of your own life. Jon recounts his first shocking symptoms, the surreal “butter knife” sensation of an aortic dissection, and how fate, luck, and love shaped his survival. While Jon’s physical heart has been patched together, the emotional journey is far from straightforward. Jon shares what comes after the surgeries: the mental battles, the power of community, and why an electric recliner might just be life changing. He also opens up about navigating the aftermath—ICU hallucinations, family impact, and the ever-present possibility of another health crisis.

You can find Jon here.

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

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Hey Heart Buddies! I welcome Dr. Marschall Runge, a leading expert in cardiovascular disease and AI in healthcare, this week to help us explore the transformative role of AI in heart health and discuss its potential to improve diagnostics and predict health outcomes. Runge shares insights into AI's ability to analyze complex medical data, enhancing preventive care and treatment precision. I ask him to address concerns about maintaining human connection in healthcare amidst AI advancements. The conversation highlights the importance of patients being proactive as the "CEO" of their health. Runge expresses optimism about AI's role in revolutionizing healthcare practices and outcomes.

This is a fascinating episode and a break from our usual story telling. I hope this episode empowers you to think outside the box of your current health care. Let me know if you liked it!

Amazon.com: Coded to Kill: A Techno-Medical Thriller: 9781637589274: Runge M.D., Marschall: Books

Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D. | LinkedIn

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.

A simple coronary artery calcium score test saved Bill's life.

Meet Bill Pollard, a heart patient from Chesapeake, Virginia. Bill shares his unique journey with a bicuspid valve and stents. At 50, Bill made lifestyle changes after discovering high calcium levels in his arteries. Despite undergoing open heart surgery for valve replacement, Bill resumed an active life, running and participating in fitness groups. His recovery story offers inspiration, emphasizing the importance of heart health awareness, family support, and community connection. Bill’s experience highlights the significance of preventative health scans and maintaining a balanced lifestyle for optimal heart health.

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.

Hey Heart Buddies! A heart murmur, congenital aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva, ruptured sinus of Valsalva into right ventricle, bicuspid aortic valve, persistent left superior vena cava and pacemaker... all in one extraordinary heart...

This week, I talk with my friend, Dawn Anderson, about her extraordinary heart health journey. Living in Adrian, Minnesota, Dawn shares her experience of discovering and surviving a rare aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve at age 41. Despite facing multiple challenges, including depression and the stress of losing her job, Dawn emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and seeking support. Her story highlights the necessity of listening to your body and staying informed about heart health. Dawn and I met through WomenHeart which is a non-profit providing education and support to female heart disease patients. Don't forget to subscribe!

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.

Hey Heart Buddies! I hope you have enjoyed this month's pelvic health series. In this final installment with Dr. Kelly Sadauckas, we unravel the mysteries of pelvic health and its crucial connection to overall wellness by using a unique interactive experience designed to teach you how to relax your pelvic floor. All you'll need is a simple towel and a quiet space. Ever wondered about the secrets of diaphragmatic breathing or how to harness the power of neuroplasticity for pelvic health? This is the episode for you!

This episode's video is live on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss when they are posted!

To connect with Dr. Kelly and access her courses, etc, go here: Pelvic Floored: The best online pelvic floor exercises & wellness Coupon code is OHS2025. This is an affiliate link which costs you nothing but does support this podcast. Thank you! I hope you enjoy Dr. Kelly's offerings!

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.

Hey to all of my heart friends. This episode may be a tad cringy at times. Sorry, not sorry.

Curious about what happens after open-heart surgery that no one else seems to talk about? Dr. Kelly Sadauckas takes us on a journey into a post-operative topic that’s often overlooked: pooping. This episode sheds light on the intricate processes involved in digestion and bowel movement and reveals surprising ways to prepare for and recover from surgery more smoothly. We do our best to make the complex world of gut health accessible and—dare we say it—fun!

This episode's video is live on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss when they are posted!

To connect with Dr. Kelly and access her courses, etc, go here: Pelvic Floored: The best online pelvic floor exercises & wellness Coupon code is OHS2025. This is an affiliate link which costs you nothing but does support this podcast. Thank you! I hope you enjoy Dr. Kelly's offerings!

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my heart buddies. Today is an extra episode just for you! Expert Dr. Kelly Sadauckas and I continue our series this month as we explore post-surgery intimacy and pelvic health for heart surgery patients. In this episode, Dr. Kelly educates us on the significance of understanding concepts like metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) and cardiac rehab to ensure safe resumption of sexual activities. She explains that a MET of five indicates moderate activity, similar to intimacy post-heart surgery. She touches on pelvic floor health, relaxation techniques, and the mental and physical impacts of surgery scars. It's important to consult health professionals in case of pain or issues, promoting informed, healthy recovery, and sexual well-being post-heart surgery!

This episode's video is live on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss when they are posted!

To connect with Dr. Kelly and access her courses, etc, go here: Pelvic Floored: The best online pelvic floor exercises & wellness Coupon code is OHS2025. This is an affiliate link which costs you nothing but does support this podcast. Thank you! I hope you enjoy Dr. Kelly's offerings!

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.

Hey Heart Buddies! Our five-part series with pelvic health expert Dr. Kelly Sadauckas continues this week as we explore the surprising ties between erectile dysfunction and cardiac health. Discover why sexual health matters more than you might think and how it serves as an important marker for your overall wellbeing.

This episode's video is live on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss when they are posted!

To connect with Dr. Kelly and access her courses, etc, go here: Pelvic Floored: The best online pelvic floor exercises & wellness Coupon code is OHS2025. This is an affiliate link which costs you nothing but does support this podcast. Thank you! I hope you enjoy Dr. Kelly's offerings!

Support this podcast HERE with any amount. Thank you!

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.