Heart Health
Seeking a second opinion: When, why, and how?
Another cardiologist's perspective may help in certain situations.
- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Maybe you're wondering if the heart procedure your doctor has recommended is really necessary. Or perhaps you're experiencing persistent heart-related symptoms despite treatment, but your physician has told you "There's nothing more we can do."
These scenarios are examples that often prompt people to seek a second opinion — an option that may be increasingly appropriate as new treatments for heart disease become more widely available and more specialized.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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