Heart surgery isn’t an everyday decision — and neither are other major cardiology procedures. You may feel unsure and have a lot of questions when you learn you likely need treatment. Getting an expert second opinion from Cleveland Clinic can help you feel more confident about moving ahead or going in another direction.
If your first instinct is to get a second opinion, it’s worth following. Heart care can involve many possible treatment options, from catheter-based procedures and minimally invasive robotic surgery to traditional open heart surgery. It can be hard to sort through those choices on your own.
An expert perspective from another healthcare provider can help you better understand your options and what comes next. You don’t need a specific reason to seek a second opinion, but you may want to get one if you:
Whether you meet with one of our experts in person or schedule a virtual second opinion online, learning more about your options can help. It can give you a clearer understanding of what comes next and help you choose the care plan that feels right for you.
Sometimes, a second opinion confirms what your healthcare provider has recommended. Other times, you may change gears and take a treatment approach that better fits your needs.
Cleveland Clinic heart and vascular specialists can offer another expert view of your diagnosis, test results or recommended treatment plan. You can meet with us in person or request a virtual second opinion, depending on what works best for you. We’ll do our best to schedule your visit and get an opinion as quickly as possible.
Before your in-person second opinion, our scheduling team will walk you through what we need from you. If you aren’t already a Cleveland Clinic patient, we may ask for past test results, heart imaging or other medical records. These details help your specialist understand what your heart care has been like so far and prepare to talk with you about your options.
Depending on where you live, you can get a second opinion from our heart and vascular experts without traveling to Cleveland.
To get started, you’ll use our secure online portal to share your information and allow Cleveland Clinic to request the records your specialist needs. This may include test results, imaging, reports and other details about the care you’ve already received.
In many states and U.S. territories, you may also be able to discuss your recommendations online or by phone.
During your second opinion appointment, a Cleveland Clinic cardiology specialist will take a careful look at the information behind your diagnosis and recommended treatment. This happens whether your second opinion is in person or virtual.
Your specialist will help you understand what your test results show, whether other approaches may be available and what each option could mean for your care. You’ll also receive a written report with their opinion and recommendations. You can share this report with your current care team or use it to decide whether to come to Cleveland Clinic for treatment.
After that conversation, you may feel ready to stay with your current care team or decide to come to us for treatment. Either way, you’ll have another expert perspective to help you choose your next step.
Heart and vascular care often involves more than one decision. We specialize in treating all types of cardiovascular conditions and know how personal making treatment decisions can be. Our team works across cardiovascular specialties to make sure you have all the information you need before moving ahead with treatment.
In many cases, yes. Virtual second opinions are available in most states and U.S. territories, but your options may depend on where you live. Some states allow virtual visits and written reports, while others only allow written reports.
Cleveland Clinic can’t provide virtual second opinions in Maine, Rhode Island or South Dakota. But you’re welcome to schedule an in-person visit. If you live outside the U.S. or its territories, we may be able to offer a virtual second opinion depending on your country or territory.
A second opinion can help you get answers about your diagnosis and next steps. You may want to have a list of questions ready or with you, such as:
It can happen. A second opinion may confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan, or it may point to a different approach. If your Cleveland Clinic specialist recommends a change, they’ll explain what’s different, why it matters and what it could mean for your next steps.
Before scheduling a second opinion, check with your insurance company to understand what’s covered. Some visits may be covered, while others may be an out-of-pocket cost. Health insurance providers and Medicare typically don’t cover virtual second opinions.