Judi learned during a routine cardiology visit that she needed complex, open-heart surgery. At Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, she received the care she needed to get back to her everyday activities.
Despite having a small aortic aneurysm, Judi enjoyed a relatively peaceful life with no symptoms — until a routine cardiology visit revealed that the aneurysm had grown and needed repair. She was referred by her cardiologist to Cottage Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Clinic, where Dr. Michael Paulsen performed a specialized heart procedure that allowed Judi to avoid valve replacement and the lifelong use of blood thinners. Today, Judi is continuing to build her strength and has returned to her walking routine — and she remains grateful for the care she received at Cottage. “If you must go through something like this,” she said, there’s no better place.”
