★
After seeing this doctor for a couple of months about an issue I have with my heart, I was told that they couldn't find anything and asked if I was stressed or any huge changes in hormones. I fully understand that heart disease in women presents differently, but I should have been referred to an endocrinologist if he thought it could be hormonal, not brushed off like I was fine.
I then went to get a second opinion at UC and they found (from tests that doctor Szawaluck and his team ran) that I was having very dangerous tachycardia symptoms while exercising and could have gone into cardiac arrest if they persisted. They are now working to find the cause and solve the problem while actively listening to my concerns.
I'm so glad that I changed doctors. Things could have ended very badly if I had not and had I returned to my exercise routine like I was planning.
★
A disaster from my 1st appt. I did everything I was told to do, he however should of went into Psychiatry blaming everything on anxiety!! Putting it in my records, never asked me about it, then other Dr's seen it, started to run with it, until seen that's not the case!! I never complained one time about anxiety or stress. Or could I help my family Dr could not control my hypertension, this great cardiologist felt his time was being wasted! He seen a previous prescription for Buspar in my records, and he could not get past that! I had previous cardiac testing that was normal. That's not what caused him to give up, because he never did anything. However the only thing he did helpful was order a sleep study consult, sleep apnea was found by pulmonary. He then back tracked on everything he blamed on me, he knew it was secondary hypertention. I then asked him in multiple MyChart messages to look at my right foot, the vein was awful, protruding, looked as if it was going to explode! I had pool ball size swelling at each ankle, the right foot being the worse. I was told at my next March appt he would look at it, refer me on if needed. At that appointment he did not do once again what he said! I was asked why I was not taking my BuSpar and that I needed to do so, and I asked him will that fix my foot? I do not have anxiety, he said it needed to be in my system to be therapeutic! Even though I was not anxious! Pulmonary at the same hospital had even asked me what was happening with my foot, it's not normal. His nurse shares the same awful attitude he does, has no problem turning her nose up, making you feel as awful as he does! I walked out of that appointment on 3/15/2021 knowing something was not right. I found my own cardiologist with Premier Health. If for no other reason then to not have to ever see Dr. Szawaluk again!! However it was not that simple. I met my new cardiologist in April. My diastolic blood pressure never resolved, I had to start another 30 day log of checking it twice a day, because it does not add up to my new cardiologist!! I never had to even take my foot out of my shoe!! I simply showed previous pictures that I sent to Dr. Szawaluk. Another venous doppler study was ordered. I have bilateral great saphenous vein blockages at each knee. My feet, ankles, lower leg swelling was never going to resolve, it only got worse, and worse. I hope he has to get his own anxiety prescription after reading all of these about himself! They are all the same. I only wished I read them before meeting him, instead of just now seeing them. I would of never went to him to begin with. I looked forward to meeting him. I am only 44 and knew this was not all from a high sodium diet him and his nurse tried to beat in my head, along with anxiety I just chose to not be compliant with by hoarding anxiety meds.
★
I was referred internally to Dr. Szawaluk. I waited several months to get an appointment during COVID and had some reschedules. Finally, the day of my appointment I was asked to be there 45 minutes early, on top of getting there 30 min early to register (which I completed and sent paperwork prior). I was around the corner but hit traffic. I called to say I would be 5 minutes late max - to the 1 hour 15 min pre appt time. I was told I would have to reschedule and it would be about 45 days. I was just in the hospital for 220/110 BP. The receptionist said she'd check with the MD, came back in 5 seconds saying no. We discussed and I was there during the call (4 min past) but they refused to see me. Actually appt was still 1 hour and 10 min away. Reception was not polite or willing to find a solution even knowing my situation. This is a shame because Christ Cardiologists in Ft. Wright were amazing.
