As a cardiologist in Vero Beach, Florida, Howard was used to treating heart problems. But despite his expertise, he was caught off-guard when he developed his own heart condition. Howard has atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular and rapid rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart. It can lead to complications like stroke or heart failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Medical Stories documents how because of his background, Howard's journey with AFib was unique - as well as the cutting-edge procedure that helped treat his condition. Later, in Bethesda, Maryland, we visit Nina, who battled constant health problems growing up, including deformities in her hand and trouble with her spine. But it wasn't until she was a teenager that she experienced a life-threatening emergency. Nina suffered an aortic dissection, in which her aorta tore open, causing blood to split apart the artery. Thankfully, doctors were able to save her life, but that was just the beginning of her ordeal, as she needed a transplant to prevent her from being hospitalized again. Nina details how challenging her experience was, while also highlighting how her mom helped her push through the recovery process, even inspiring her to pursue a new dream. This episode also features in-depth commentary from renowned experts Vivek Reddy, MD, Director of Electrophysiology, Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, and James Black, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University.