After about three years of ER visits and unsympathetic cardiologists, I finally found a place that cares about and understands my condition! Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a benign heart condition for most, but it comes with an array of annoying symptoms that can really make you feel like you might be dying (heart racing/palpitations, chest pain, anxiety). I was diagnosed when I was about 19, told that I was fine and can live a normal life, and sent on my way. I know most cardiologists deal with life or death situations -- people with heart failure, cardiomyopathy, serious arrhythmias, etc. -- but nobody ever seemed to want to treat me. I was always condescendingly told all I needed to do was "calm down" and that "20-somethings don't have heart conditions." I read about the MVP Center online and knew I had to make a visit after a panic attack and a resting heart rate over 140 landed me in the ER. It's located in Birmingham, AL of all places, which is slightly inconvenient for those of us who don't live there, but people travel from all over the country to see the doctors here. (Worth noting: they treat more than MVP. The full name of their office is The Autonomic Disorders and Mitral Valve Prolapse Center.) During my last visit, I heard someone mention that they'd come from Tampa! The staff is SO nice. I love every single one of the nurses and technicians who work here. Maybe it's just their Southern charm, but they really make you feel comfortable. They're all sweethearts. I've never had to wait more than a few minutes to be taken back, although there can be some waiting between tests. Nothing outrageous like at some doctors offices though! I see Dr. Watkins, who obviously understands my condition (and other autonomic disorders) as he's the one who founded the Center in 1987, and he's just awesome. He's reassuring AND understanding. (As I said before, lots of doctors have been reassuring, but none have been very sympathetic!) His approach is holistic -- he'll give you necessary medications (for me: a beta blocker, an anxiolytic, and an antidepressant), but also make dietary and exercise recommendations. The first time I made an appointment here, I was lucky enough to be able to take the place of someone who had canceled, otherwise it would have been a bit of a wait before they could see me. If you're considering scheduling a visit here, be sure to keep in mind that spots fill up quickly. Also be prepared to spend quite a bit of time here on your first visit (~3 hours), as they'll do a few different tests. Dress like you're going to the gym because they'll probably have you running on the treadmill! I should mention that the office is located in one of the professional buildings and it can be kind of hard to find (it's on the third floor of building 880 right by the elevator!). Ask someone where to go! Don't be shy and wander around for 15 minutes like I did. read more

I was referred to this clinic by one of my doctors. I was not impressed! First you can never get anyone on the phone. You have to leave messages and they do not return calls very well. From the time on the phone to make the appointment through the end, I was given the impression they were not going to treat me and should have went with that while making the appointment. They would not even do the stress test on me because my family has a history of heart disease and I had had chest pains. Sure enough after all that, they "suggested" that I see a cardiologist. However, I can't get anyone to call me back to get my test results. I won't even give my opinion of the female "doctor" I saw. However, there were two of the staff that did testing that were super nice. read more