Traversing the Tapestry of Cardiovascular Disease: A Patient’s Lifelong Heart Journey

PIH Health patient Richard Myerson

“Within weeks, I felt fantastic,” he said. “I was back to working out, cooking, traveling—and, of course, enjoying a great glass of wine. My journey has had highs and lows, but through it all, I have learned to live life with a full heart and a glass that is always half full.”

For more than 25 years, Richard Myerson has shared his heart story—quite literally—with Steven Burstein MD, PIH Health cardiologist. What began as a chance discovery during a routine checkup in his late twenties has become a lifelong partnership marked by trust, resilience, and a deep appreciation for life itself.

“I was 29, newly married, when my doctor heard a murmur that led to the discovery of a serious valve issue,” Richard recalled. “Soon after, Dr. Burstein took over my care and he has been my guide ever since.”

Now in his late 60s, the accomplished financial planner and wine enthusiast has weathered decades of complex heart disease. His journey has included open-heart surgery to replace both his aortic and mitral valves, procedures to treat atrial fibrillation, and the placement of three coronary stents to restore blood flow to his heart. He has faced heart failure symptoms, rhythm disturbances, and the constant vigilance required to balance medication and lifestyle—yet his optimism never wavered.

In 2024, after struggling to catch his breath even during mild activity, Richard learned that his replaced aortic valve had deteriorated again. Rather than undergoing another open-heart procedure, Dr. Burstein recommended a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive approach in which a new valve is delivered through a catheter to take the place of the failing one, without reopening the chest.

“TAVR represents one of the most significant advances in modern cardiology,” said Dr. Burstein. “It allows patients like Richard to recover quickly and get back to the lives they love.”

And that was exactly what Richard did. “Within weeks, I felt fantastic,” he said. “I was back to working out, cooking, traveling—and, of course, enjoying a great glass of wine. My journey has had highs and lows, but through it all, I have learned to live life with a full heart and a glass that is always half full.”

For more information on heart services, visit PIHHealth.org/HeartCare