Finding the Right Cardiologist at the Right Time

Finding the Right Cardiologist at the Right Time

Evelyn Domings, a retired handler who showed dogs for 26 years, has gone through quite an ordeal since first suffering a stroke in 2018. Over the span of seven years, Evelyn has been in and out of four different hospitals and cardiologists and landed several times in the emergency room. She’s gone through multiple procedures such as a pacemaker implant and an aortic aneurysm surgery, which was first discovered by her orthopedic doctor. Overall, she was happy with her doctors in Massachusetts, but soon had to move to New Hampshire.

After moving to New Hampshire, she found a primary doctor, but knew she needed to find a cardiologist. She was having difficulty breathing, getting dizzy halfway down the stairs, and had trouble sleeping. Evelyn had gone through another round of hospitals and cardiologists where she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Evelyn felt it was much more than that and that her symptoms were being misdiagnosed. “I know I’m not a doctor,” said Evelyn, “but I’m really attuned to my body and I know when something’s just not right.” Lucky for her, she followed her instinct.

While in search of a new cardiologist, a physician assistant mentioned Dr. Fahad Gilani. After reading online reviews and checking out his credentials and specialties, she felt confident that she was going to see the right cardiologist.

“The first time I met Dr. Gilani, I liked him right away!” said Evelyn emphatically. “He’s the first cardiologist that really listened to me. He’s so genuine and you can tell that he really cares.”

After a series of advanced cardiac testing, Dr. Gilani diagnosed Evelyn with mitral regurgitation (leaky mitral valve), which accounted for the symptoms she was experiencing along with low oxygen levels and shortness of breath. Evelyn was naturally nervous about the procedure, but was reassured when Dr. Gilani thoroughly went over the process and explained what to expect post-surgery.

It’s been a month since Dr. Gilani repaired Evelyn’s valve, and she’s feeling a lot better. She has no problem sleeping at night and, more importantly, has her energy back.

When asked about her experience, Evelyn paused for a moment then said, “There are no words to describe how I feel. Dr. Gilani, thank you so much for everything! I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He’s an angel. Everyone needs to have a doctor like Dr. Gilani. I will never forget him as long as I live!”

Stories like Evelyn’s remind us of why we do what we do. Contact Cardiovascular Specialists of New England for expert, personalized care! Call us today!