Childish description of acute mitral regurgitation.

[Jack]

[SIZE=+1]This is the most childish description By The Herald-Sun of acute mitral regurgitation.[/SIZE]

The test revealed Staab suffered from a flailing mitral valve with severe mitral regurgitation. The cords which hold his heart valve shut have suddenly snapped -- with no known cause. Blood is now traveling directly from Staab's heart into his lungs. He must have surgery to repair or replace the broken valve, and he needs to do it soon.


http://www.heraldsun.com/tools/printfriendly.cfm?StoryID=526723

 

[catwoman]

Perhaps it's how a cardiologist explained it to the reporter...

What I found amazing is that Mr. Staab could have had medical insurance, but chose not to because he likened the insurance industry to terrorists, if I remember the wording correctly. Article quoted a figure of $200,000 for the surgery & related expenses. Instead, he chose to fly to India to have it done there for $10,000 (plus air fare, living expenses while there for 1 week in hospital & 4 weeks afterward before going home).

There are folks who can't get insurance at all, or at a reasonable cost, because of pre-existing conditions, their employer doesn't offer it, etc. But not getting it because you dislike the industry is foolish.

 

[Marty]

Duke is a little pricy. At Inova Fairfax my hospital bill was $30,000 and my surgeon fee $5000. Visitor parking for seniors $1.00. Also I had a surgeon who published a book on valves when he was younger and about 55 when he operated on me. Duke is a "teaching" hospital and a resident might do the operation. Medicare plus my supplement paid for everything. I believe that soon we must have Medicare for every one not just old folks.