Carilion Clinic Cardiology - Roanoke

In September on the 8th and 9th I was there due to a heart attack and I received 5 stints. I was on the 8th floor in room 8112 I think. The important thing is every nurse and Doctor and I mean every shift for the days I was there treated me with the best care and manor I have ever had, hands down anywhere. I don't know how you pick your staff and how much they make but they are truly the best of the best and deserve top salary. I was cared for like I was a family member. Thank you all very much and God bless y'all.

In the beginning of Oct I saw Dr Ijeoma Okogbue. I got a referral to her as I had a elevated traponin level off some blood work in the ER. At the time I was having bad GI symptoms. I had been given mixed responses about weather I was having a heart attack or was not from a different provider so I went back to carilion to get this referral . When I saw Dr Ijeoma Okogbue I asked her directly if any other reason my traponin levels could be from anything else other than a heart attack. Her answer was no. I explained I never had symptoms of a heart attack. She ordered a heart catheter procedure. I was told I would be awake for the procedure. I was very nervous about this and sent a msg via my chart explaining if I could not have general anesthesia I wanted to cancel I was full of anxiety of getting a procedure done I truly wasn't convinced I needed. Dr Ijeoma Okogbue did not respond and I called multiple times trying to get an answer if general anesthesia would even be possible. I got a response 2 days before the procedure with clearance from a nurse. I went on October 15th reluctantly. I will write a separate review for the rendering Dr that did my heart catheter as he was amazing and so was his team of nurses and this review should not reflect them. After surgery I felt great I'm sure they numb you so I thought ok this procedure is not that bad and was able to go home same day. Around 3 am I woke up with spasms and horrible pain like I was in the worst car wreck. So my right hand was unusable as that's where they did the catheter and my left hand was badly bruised from the iv and the inner part of my elbow had blood pool under the skin and I was out of places to be poked .I called the nurse to explain the spasms and the pain I was in and I was told to take Tylenol. I told her that it was barbaric to ask me to take Tylenol after having a surgery and I was having spasms and in bad pain. This was not a headache. They suggested I could go to the ER. I had no where for them to stick me in my arms again. They order me a surgery and literally let me suffer and wanted to pass me to a ER . I had other symptoms after this surgery I was unaware I would be dealing with. My biggest issue of all was when I got out of surgery was finding out I had no heart damage. I had 85% blockage to my LAD so only needed 1 stent there. The definition of a heart attack is damage to your heart. I asked her and should of received the transparency about "yes you can have elevated traponin due to their factors" it took me researching to find out the truth. Extensive exercise, kidney issues, gi bleeding ,ect. Actual colleges have put out reports on non cardiac related studies about elevated traponin. My report during my heart catheter clearly said no heart damage. meaning No heart attack. I never got a stress test before hand I never even got the option to see if I had other ways I could of delt with plaque naturally. I now deal with spasms from a stent they could confirm or deny was normal and left me in the dark when calling and complaining to nurses and even complained to the office manager of how they dropped the ball with my care. I went for my final appointment with dr Ijeoma Okogbue today. I explained the troubles and symptoms post op and how disappointing it was to contact her and not get a response and them unwilling to address my symptoms. I asked her after having the procedure and it showing no heart damage why I never got the transparent answer of yes other things can cause elevated traponin. She instead of being empathetic , she was defensive and had a elevated voice. I asked her why she was elevated and her response was it's just the way she talks. She brought up me going to another cardiologist and was quite rude to me as the session ended. There is so much room for opportunity, an apology and empathy when a patient is explaining what is going on and feeling like their care has been neglected.choose a different doctor other than her.

Only care about how much money they can pump out of you. Saw Dr Edge for a consultation, reluctant to take a stress test due to the overwhelming price, even when insured, under Carilion's employee plan. Was reassured several times by multiple Doctors that it would not cost an overwhelming amount. After agreeing to schedule the appointment and driving home, I notice a due balance of nearly two thousand dollars, as my obligation in cost. Will NOT seek further treatment from Carilion. Its sad their own employees have to seek treatment elsewhere, or force being billed more than they are paid by the institution.

My husband and I had our first appointment with Dr Elsner this past week. We really liked him and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a cardiology specialist. . He was very through and kind. He took the time to talk to us and explain everything perfectly. We highly recommend him and looking forward to seeing him again at our next appointment.

PA Elizabeth Sabella was amazing! Very kind, thoughtful, & patient. If you are in the Roanoke area, definitely recommend coming to see her. Thanks PA Sabella!