Paul J. Pearson, MD, PhD, cardiothoracic surgeon, discusses the reasons you should get a second opinion for heart and vascular diagnoses and why you should talk to the experts on our heart and vascular team.
Our heart and vascular team offers programs that allow you to explore more about your condition and receive advanced treatment and attention if necessary. If you are currently diagnosed with a heart or vascular condition, we offer an easily accessible and thorough evaluation with some of the country’s best cardiac and vascular physicians. Whether you want to confirm a treatment plan or want to find out more options, we are there to assist you in planning the next step for your heart and vascular care.
We see patients with all kinds of heart and vascular disease or problems – from heart failure to atrial fibrillation to peripheral artery disease. Our Cardiac Second Opinion Program and Vascular Second Opinion Program have dedicated and highly trained physician experts who specialize in all types of heart and vascular disease. They are involved in the latest research and utilize state-of-the-science diagnostic and treatment technology.
Request a Second Opinion
Call 414-777-7700, option 1.
Benefits of a Second Opinion
You should not feel intimidated to request a second opinion from your current physician. In fact, most physicians encourage their patients to explore options when faced with a major health issue. Our physicians have built outstanding relationships with area physicians and will work with you and your physician in providing a customized care plan.
We believe that patients with heart and vascular diseases need to explore all alternatives to choose what is best for them. A second opinion, whether from our team or others, allows you the peace of mind to make the right decision.
Participation in Clinical Trials May be an Option
As part of the only academic medical center in eastern Wisconsin we have access to the latest treatments and technology. This means you will be presented with the best treatment options for your individual case. In addition, our physicians are involved in ongoing research. In fact, we are one of the top research centers in the country, receiving more National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding than almost any academic medical center nationwide.
Our physicians might suggest that you become involved in one of our on-going clinical trials as a treatment for your heart or vascular disease. Read more about clinical trial participation.
Insurance
Most insurance carriers cover second opinion visits. You will need to check with your insurance carrier regarding your plan coverage prior to your visits. For more information, please call our team at 414-777-7700, and select option 1.
Learn More
- Learn more about our Cardiac Second Opinion Program
- Learn more about our Vascular Second Opinion Program
Virtual Visits Are Available
Safe and convenient virtual visits by video let you get the care you need via a mobile device, tablet or computer wherever you are. We'll assess your condition and develop a treatment plan right away. To schedule a virtual visit, call 414-777-7700.
Our Cardiovascular Program continues to receive recognition as one of the top programs nationally. We are honored to provide high-quality, effective care for even the most high-risk patients.
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Check Out Our Heart and Vascular Program Awards and Recognition
In its 2024 Specialty Excellence Awards, Healthgrades recognized Froedtert Hospital as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery, one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention, as well as other specialty achievements in various areas.
For the second year in a row, Froedtert Hospital was identified as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals™ according to an independent quality analysis based on a balanced scorecard provided by PINC AI™, and reported by Fortune. The hospitals recognized in the top 50 operated at lower cost and had better outcomes, recording significantly higher inpatient survival rates, fewer patients with complications, lower readmission rates and up to nearly $10,000 less in total costs per patient case. According to the study’s analysis, if all hospitals operated at the level of this year’s top performers, there could be 7,600 fewer deaths due to heart disease, 6,700 fewer bypass and angioplasty patients who suffer complications, and more than $1 billion in costs saved for the 2024 study year. Froedtert Hospital was ranked in the category of top teaching hospitals with a cardiovascular residency program. In this cohort of hospitals, Froedtert Hospital was ranked No. 4 in the country. No other hospital in Wisconsin was recognized with this national distinction.
The Society for Vascular Surgery's Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI) has awarded Froedtert Hospital three out of three stars for its active participation in the Registry Participation Program. The mission of the SVS VQI is to improve patient safety and the quality of vascular care delivery by providing web-based collection, aggregation and analysis of clinical data submitted in registry format for all patients undergoing specific vascular treatments. The VQI operates 14 vascular registries.
The American Heart Association recognized Froedtert Hospital with its Get With the Guidelines® Heart Failure Gold Plus Award. In addition, the hospital was recognized on the AHA’s Target: Heart Failure(SM) Honor Roll and received the AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll™ award.
The American Heart Association also recognized Froedtert Hospital with its Get With the Guidelines® — Coronary Artery Disease Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Silver Plus and Mission: Lifeline NSTEMI Silver awards. These awards demonstrate our commitment to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks.
The American Heart Association recognized Froedtert Hospital with its Get With the Guidelines® AFib Gold Award.
The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Froedtert Hospital have each received a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. This award recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Receiving this national three-year award with gold, silver and bronze designations, marks a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and achieving a healthy work environment.
