When I first spoke with Pete Furman in Episode 36, his health was failing, his options felt limited, and the road ahead was anything but clear. He was living with a myocardial bridge, drug therapy wasn’t working, and insurance had just denied his preferred surgeon. Everything felt urgent — and uncertain.

In this follow-up conversation, Pete returns to share what happened next.

We talk about how he navigated insurance denial, found a local cardiac surgeon willing to listen and learn, and ultimately underwent open-heart surgery to fully unroof his myocardial bridge. Pete walks us through the questions he asked, the promises he insisted on, and how self-advocacy became a matter of survival.

But this episode goes far beyond the operating room. Pete opens up about the emotional toll on his family, the anxiety leading up to surgery, and recording messages “just in case.” He also shares a surprising post-surgery discovery — that part of his ongoing struggle wasn’t his heart at all, but how he was breathing — and how retraining his body helped him reclaim strength he hadn’t felt in years.

Today, more than a year after surgery, Pete is back on his bike, training again, and setting his sights on racing in 2026.

If you’re facing a myocardial bridge diagnosis, wrestling with insurance, or wondering whether it’s possible to truly get your life back, this conversation is proof that it is — even when the path looks imperfect.

Pete's Doctor in Arizona was Dr. Modesto Colon with Phoenix Cardiac Surgery



Pete returns to Imperfect Heart and recaps his diagnosis, failed drug therapy, and the critical decisions he faced after Episode 36.

How a denied robotic surgery led Pete to a local, in-network cardiac surgeon — and the questions that mattered most.

Why Pete chose open-heart surgery, what “fully unroofing” meant to him, and the promises he required before saying yes.

The emotional weight of declining health, preparing his family, and recording messages “just in case.”

Post-surgery struggles, breathing dysfunction, and how retraining his body changed everything.

Pete’s return to the bike, future goals, advice for others starting this journey, and why advocacy matters.

This may be one of those episodes that could be considered controversial and I hope it does prompt questions. Dr. Christopher Kwon is a highly experienced cardiac surgeon whose practice in Lake Havasu, Arizona has brought him face-to-face with a growing number of patients living with symptomatic Myocardial Bridges.

What made this conversation so compelling is Dr. Kwon’s dual approach—he doesn’t just perform the standard unroofing procedure. He also chooses to bypass the artery in the same operation, giving his patients the greatest chance for long-term relief, in his expert opinion. As he says, it’s a “belts and suspenders” approach.

We talk about everything related to the bridge unroofing procedure.

• The fear patients have around sternotomy,
• The diagnostic process including provocative testing,
• The reality of competitive flow in grafts,
• The insurance coding challenges that can delay care,
• And, perhaps most importantly, how critical it is to advocate for yourself.

Whether you're a patient, a caregiver, or a provider trying to better understand this often-dismissed condition, I believe this episode can give you clarity, confidence, and hope.

• Dr. Kwon’s path from aspiring engineer to heart surgeon
• Why sternotomy isn’t as scary as it sounds
• His unique method: unroofing + bypass for added protection
• When provocative testing is useful—but not always required
• What to know about LIMA grafts and long-term outcomes
• Why some cardiologists still dismiss this condition—and what he tells them
• The importance of second opinions and listening to your gut
• How insurance coding can make or break your surgery approval
• Plus... Dr. Kwon’s life outside the OR, including his two standard poodles ????

Dr. Christopher Kwon

Cardiac Surgeon – Havasu Regional Medical Center, Arizona

Phone: 928-453-0890

Contact info: https://www.havasuregional.com/find-a-doctor/provider/1225074867

Resources:

• Website: www.myimperfectheart.com
• Book: Imperfect Heart: Stories of Myocardial Bridges – Now available on Amazon or any digital platform where you find your books/ebooks/audio books.

(00:00) Cardiac Surgeon Discusses Myocardial Bridges

Dr. Kwon's journey to becoming a cardiac surgeon, his 21-year career, advancements in cardiac surgery, and treating myocardial bridges.

(11:34) Bypass Graft and Competitive Flow Discussion

Nature's intricacies of bypass grafts, specifically LEMA and its interaction with competitive flow, surgical strategies, and decision-making processes in complex cardiac surgeries.

(20:14) Discussion on Myocardial Bridge Treatment

Myocardial bridging treatment, stenting and surgery, sudden cardiac death, patient self-advocacy, and maintaining well-being through family, pets, and nature.

(34:52) Bypass and Unroofing Procedure Discussion

Dr. Kwon shares insights on unroofing bypass surgery, making complex medical information accessible and concludes with a light-hearted exchange about his dogs.

Recovering from a heart surgery or cardiac event is never simple—the questions, fears, and “what-ifs” can feel overwhelming. That’s where cardiac rehab steps in, providing a safe, structured, and supportive bridge between the hospital and a confident return to life.

In this episode, I'm speaking with Kimberly Lynch, a clinical exercise physiologist at Sutter Roseville Medical Center Cardiac Rehab. Kim is also a Leader of Impact with the American Heart Association which you'll hear a little more about in the episode. Kimberly explains what really happens inside cardiac rehab: monitored exercise, personalized treatment plans, nutrition guidance, and emotional support that helps patients rebuild both body and spirit.

Together, we explore the fears patients face, the life-changing impact of rehab, and why this whole-person approach is so essential for recovery. Kimberly also shares her personal passion for advocacy and fundraising, and how community support powers lifesaving research and education.

If you or someone you love is navigating recovery after a heart event, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and hope on your journey to your "new" normal post surgery. Build confidence and regain the life you choose by learning and understanding what to expect from cardia rehab.

Learn more or support Kimberly’s American Heart Association campaign by checking the link HERE

To learn more about cardiac rehab at Sutter Roseville Medical Center visit their website HERE.

To reach kimberly via email: kimberly.lynch@sutterhealth.org

Chapter Summaries:

00:00 Introduction to Cardiac Rehab

00:40 Welcome to Imperfect Heart

02:04 Guest Introduction: Kimberly Lynch

02:57 American Heart Association Fundraising

06:36 Understanding Cardiac Rehab Programs

08:55 Personal Experiences and Challenges

15:34 Monitoring and Safety in Cardiac Rehab

25:42 Holistic Approach: Nutrition and Mental Health

28:25 The Emotional Impact of Heart Procedures

28:52 Starting a Support Group for Heart Patients

30:15 The Power of Shared Experiences

33:08 Graduation and Moving Forward

35:11 Virtual Cardiac Rehab Options

36:52 Insurance Coverage for Cardiac Rehab

39:23 Personal Stories of Recovery

45:41 The Importance of Cardiac Rehab

48:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts