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American Board of Internal Medicine Cardiovascular
Hospital Affiliations
Wellstar Cobb Hospital
Wellstar Douglas Hospital
Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
Wellstar North Fulton Hospital
Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital
Languages spoken
English
Common Treatments, Conditions, and Procedures
Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)
Congestive Heart Failure
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Stroke
Patient Reviews
Overall patient rating
4.8
Based on 386 patient ratings
Listened to me carefully
I'd recommend this provider to family and friends
I'd recommend this practice to family and friends
Shared the right amount of information
Earned my trust
All reviews have been submitted by patients after seeing the provider.For more information about the review system, check out this Learn more about our review system.
Patient Reviews
4
Thank you
July 25, 2026
5
Excellent.
July 25, 2026
5
Excellent! The doctors are 100% professional and care about the health of the community. Thank you for your attention.
July 23, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is always professional and compassionate.
July 22, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is an excellent cardiologist. I love going to her. She's very good. She's very patient. She's very thorough. She listens to you and she's concerned and she takes note of everything that you mention and helps you to find ways to improve your health and also the staff there as well. Very warm, very friendly. They help you to want to keep your appointment as long as you can make it, even me at 79 years old.
July 19, 2026
5
We are so glad to have Dr. Burroughs as our cardiologist. She was very professional. She was very friendly and she answered all our questions exactly as we needed to be answered. So we're very happy with the practice and also with Dr. Burroughs. The girls up front were very friendly. We enjoyed visiting with them. Everything went well. Thank you.
July 19, 2026
5
I was very happy with your service
July 18, 2026
5
Everyone was very helpful. The doctor was just wonderful she answered all my questions
July 17, 2026
5
Dont remember the MA, but she was really nice and personable, Dr Burroughs, very good Dr. She sat down and listened to me, and I love that in a Dr.
July 15, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is great in my book!!
July 13, 2026
5
My experience with the hospital staff and the cardiology office was excellent. I told Dr. Burroughs straight up that I do have problems with communication and she was patient and very thorough.. not dismissive, not condescending, no evidence of an inflated ego, she is a very nice, polite woman who actually looks at you and listens. I rely on being able to read lips and I didn't tell Dr Burroughs because I forgot, thirty minutes, worse 15 minutes, I can't follow a conversation if I am rushed or can't see the physician's face and I have "word finding issues" so I get ignored by doctors. The problem I saw Dr Burroughs for, that didn't just happen. There's too much, it's alright, your tests are okay etc. I double check my labs myself. I have always thought highly of Wellstar going all the way back to Kennestone.
July 12, 2026
5
30 minute wait in exam room is too·long for a disabled patient.
July 10, 2026
5
Dr Burroughs was very compassionate to my condition explaining everything to me what to expect. Under her treatment my blood pressure was lower than many years ago. I left with confident how knowledgeable and personal. Never was she in a rush.
July 9, 2026
5
So grateful for Dr. Burroughs!! Cannot say enough about how thankful I am that she is my cardiologist.
June 30, 2026
4
I have no complaints about this girl. She's well-mannered and she listens and done everything that she could for me.
June 28, 2026
5
The check-in staff was very helpful and friendly. The nurse was very friendly and helpful and made sure I asked any questions. And the doctor was so nice and she was very knowledgeable and I was very comfortable with being there. I'm glad I came to that practice. Thank you.
June 28, 2026
5
Very courteous staff and physician. Felt comfortable and confident with Dr M B.
June 27, 2026
5
Ive been going to Dr Burroughs for a while and have appreciated her kind and professional support also the staff . I've now graduated to a once per year visit ..Thanks Dr Burroughs for helping to get me to this stage . .
June 26, 2026
5
The doctor and staff was outstanding and very professional.??
June 25, 2026
5
They are very helpful, very friendly professional and just amazing up there.I can't say enough good about them.
June 24, 2026
5
Great visit.
June 24, 2026
5
Today's visit with Dr. Burroughs, assistant and office staff, as in past visits, was exceptional. I have full confidence in the care they provide.
June 24, 2026
5
Very informative, good experience
June 21, 2026
5
I received great treatment at this medical office! I was checked in upon my arrival. The MA/nurse Ruth was so kind and caring as she took my vital signs. Dr. Burroughs is very knowledgeable and listens intently to my medical questions. She encourages me to continue with healthy lifestyle changes. I recommend this office to my friends and family.
June 15, 2026
5
It's a great place to be treated with perfection!!
June 13, 2026
4
I really have no other medical hospital facility to compare this one with. Therefore, l could not recommend Wellstar to.
June 13, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is a wonderful doctor and never makes me feel Like zi am being rushed in and out like so many do. She takes time with you and answers all your questions. I have not always had this sort of care with Wellstar Cardiology and have been a patient in the group for many years do have seen multiple doctors in the practice. Most run in and out and you feel like you are just a number in a practice to make money. So glad to have her as my doctor. Hope she stays at Wellstar because most of the good ones that I have had wend up leaving the practice.
June 11, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is a world class position. I trust her with my health.
June 10, 2026
5
Very professional.
June 10, 2026
5
The experience that I had in the office from the beginning to the end, I felt really listened to and cared for and concerned and very informed about what I needed to do and when to come back. So I'm really thankful for Dr. Burroughs and her assistants and the people at the front desk. They were wonderful, every one of them. So I really, really appreciate what I had done out there the other day. So thank you. Bye.
June 6, 2026
5
Excellent.
July 25, 2026
5
Excellent! The doctors are 100% professional and care about the health of the community. Thank you for your attention.
July 23, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is always professional and compassionate.
July 22, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is an excellent cardiologist. I love going to her. She's very good. She's very patient. She's very thorough. She listens to you and she's concerned and she takes note of everything that you mention and helps you to find ways to improve your health and also the staff there as well. Very warm, very friendly. They help you to want to keep your appointment as long as you can make it, even me at 79 years old.
July 19, 2026
5
We are so glad to have Dr. Burroughs as our cardiologist. She was very professional. She was very friendly and she answered all our questions exactly as we needed to be answered. So we're very happy with the practice and also with Dr. Burroughs. The girls up front were very friendly. We enjoyed visiting with them. Everything went well. Thank you.
July 19, 2026
5
I was very happy with your service
July 18, 2026
5
Everyone was very helpful. The doctor was just wonderful she answered all my questions
July 17, 2026
5
Dont remember the MA, but she was really nice and personable, Dr Burroughs, very good Dr. She sat down and listened to me, and I love that in a Dr.
July 15, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is great in my book!!
July 13, 2026
5
My experience with the hospital staff and the cardiology office was excellent. I told Dr. Burroughs straight up that I do have problems with communication and she was patient and very thorough.. not dismissive, not condescending, no evidence of an inflated ego, she is a very nice, polite woman who actually looks at you and listens. I rely on being able to read lips and I didn't tell Dr Burroughs because I forgot, thirty minutes, worse 15 minutes, I can't follow a conversation if I am rushed or can't see the physician's face and I have "word finding issues" so I get ignored by doctors. The problem I saw Dr Burroughs for, that didn't just happen. There's too much, it's alright, your tests are okay etc. I double check my labs myself. I have always thought highly of Wellstar going all the way back to Kennestone.
July 12, 2026
5
30 minute wait in exam room is too·long for a disabled patient.
July 10, 2026
5
Dr Burroughs was very compassionate to my condition explaining everything to me what to expect. Under her treatment my blood pressure was lower than many years ago. I left with confident how knowledgeable and personal. Never was she in a rush.
July 9, 2026
5
So grateful for Dr. Burroughs!! Cannot say enough about how thankful I am that she is my cardiologist.
June 30, 2026
5
The check-in staff was very helpful and friendly. The nurse was very friendly and helpful and made sure I asked any questions. And the doctor was so nice and she was very knowledgeable and I was very comfortable with being there. I'm glad I came to that practice. Thank you.
June 28, 2026
5
Very courteous staff and physician. Felt comfortable and confident with Dr M B.
June 27, 2026
5
Ive been going to Dr Burroughs for a while and have appreciated her kind and professional support also the staff . I've now graduated to a once per year visit ..Thanks Dr Burroughs for helping to get me to this stage . .
June 26, 2026
5
The doctor and staff was outstanding and very professional.??
June 25, 2026
5
They are very helpful, very friendly professional and just amazing up there.I can't say enough good about them.
June 24, 2026
5
Great visit.
June 24, 2026
5
Today's visit with Dr. Burroughs, assistant and office staff, as in past visits, was exceptional. I have full confidence in the care they provide.
June 24, 2026
5
Very informative, good experience
June 21, 2026
5
I received great treatment at this medical office! I was checked in upon my arrival. The MA/nurse Ruth was so kind and caring as she took my vital signs. Dr. Burroughs is very knowledgeable and listens intently to my medical questions. She encourages me to continue with healthy lifestyle changes. I recommend this office to my friends and family.
June 15, 2026
5
It's a great place to be treated with perfection!!
June 13, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is a wonderful doctor and never makes me feel Like zi am being rushed in and out like so many do. She takes time with you and answers all your questions. I have not always had this sort of care with Wellstar Cardiology and have been a patient in the group for many years do have seen multiple doctors in the practice. Most run in and out and you feel like you are just a number in a practice to make money. So glad to have her as my doctor. Hope she stays at Wellstar because most of the good ones that I have had wend up leaving the practice.
June 11, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is a world class position. I trust her with my health.
June 10, 2026
5
Very professional.
June 10, 2026
5
The experience that I had in the office from the beginning to the end, I felt really listened to and cared for and concerned and very informed about what I needed to do and when to come back. So I'm really thankful for Dr. Burroughs and her assistants and the people at the front desk. They were wonderful, every one of them. So I really, really appreciate what I had done out there the other day. So thank you. Bye.
June 6, 2026
4
Thank you
July 25, 2026
4
I have no complaints about this girl. She's well-mannered and she listens and done everything that she could for me.
June 28, 2026
4
I really have no other medical hospital facility to compare this one with. Therefore, l could not recommend Wellstar to.
June 13, 2026
4
Thank you
July 25, 2026
4
I have no complaints about this girl. She's well-mannered and she listens and done everything that she could for me.
June 28, 2026
4
I really have no other medical hospital facility to compare this one with. Therefore, l could not recommend Wellstar to.
June 13, 2026
5
Excellent.
July 25, 2026
5
Excellent! The doctors are 100% professional and care about the health of the community. Thank you for your attention.
July 23, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is always professional and compassionate.
July 22, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is an excellent cardiologist. I love going to her. She's very good. She's very patient. She's very thorough. She listens to you and she's concerned and she takes note of everything that you mention and helps you to find ways to improve your health and also the staff there as well. Very warm, very friendly. They help you to want to keep your appointment as long as you can make it, even me at 79 years old.
July 19, 2026
5
We are so glad to have Dr. Burroughs as our cardiologist. She was very professional. She was very friendly and she answered all our questions exactly as we needed to be answered. So we're very happy with the practice and also with Dr. Burroughs. The girls up front were very friendly. We enjoyed visiting with them. Everything went well. Thank you.
July 19, 2026
5
I was very happy with your service
July 18, 2026
5
Everyone was very helpful. The doctor was just wonderful she answered all my questions
July 17, 2026
5
Dont remember the MA, but she was really nice and personable, Dr Burroughs, very good Dr. She sat down and listened to me, and I love that in a Dr.
July 15, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is great in my book!!
July 13, 2026
5
My experience with the hospital staff and the cardiology office was excellent. I told Dr. Burroughs straight up that I do have problems with communication and she was patient and very thorough.. not dismissive, not condescending, no evidence of an inflated ego, she is a very nice, polite woman who actually looks at you and listens. I rely on being able to read lips and I didn't tell Dr Burroughs because I forgot, thirty minutes, worse 15 minutes, I can't follow a conversation if I am rushed or can't see the physician's face and I have "word finding issues" so I get ignored by doctors. The problem I saw Dr Burroughs for, that didn't just happen. There's too much, it's alright, your tests are okay etc. I double check my labs myself. I have always thought highly of Wellstar going all the way back to Kennestone.
July 12, 2026
5
30 minute wait in exam room is too·long for a disabled patient.
July 10, 2026
5
Dr Burroughs was very compassionate to my condition explaining everything to me what to expect. Under her treatment my blood pressure was lower than many years ago. I left with confident how knowledgeable and personal. Never was she in a rush.
July 9, 2026
5
So grateful for Dr. Burroughs!! Cannot say enough about how thankful I am that she is my cardiologist.
June 30, 2026
5
The check-in staff was very helpful and friendly. The nurse was very friendly and helpful and made sure I asked any questions. And the doctor was so nice and she was very knowledgeable and I was very comfortable with being there. I'm glad I came to that practice. Thank you.
June 28, 2026
5
Very courteous staff and physician. Felt comfortable and confident with Dr M B.
June 27, 2026
5
Ive been going to Dr Burroughs for a while and have appreciated her kind and professional support also the staff . I've now graduated to a once per year visit ..Thanks Dr Burroughs for helping to get me to this stage . .
June 26, 2026
5
The doctor and staff was outstanding and very professional.??
June 25, 2026
5
They are very helpful, very friendly professional and just amazing up there.I can't say enough good about them.
June 24, 2026
5
Great visit.
June 24, 2026
5
Today's visit with Dr. Burroughs, assistant and office staff, as in past visits, was exceptional. I have full confidence in the care they provide.
June 24, 2026
5
Very informative, good experience
June 21, 2026
5
I received great treatment at this medical office! I was checked in upon my arrival. The MA/nurse Ruth was so kind and caring as she took my vital signs. Dr. Burroughs is very knowledgeable and listens intently to my medical questions. She encourages me to continue with healthy lifestyle changes. I recommend this office to my friends and family.
June 15, 2026
5
It's a great place to be treated with perfection!!
June 13, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is a wonderful doctor and never makes me feel Like zi am being rushed in and out like so many do. She takes time with you and answers all your questions. I have not always had this sort of care with Wellstar Cardiology and have been a patient in the group for many years do have seen multiple doctors in the practice. Most run in and out and you feel like you are just a number in a practice to make money. So glad to have her as my doctor. Hope she stays at Wellstar because most of the good ones that I have had wend up leaving the practice.
June 11, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is a world class position. I trust her with my health.
June 10, 2026
5
Very professional.
June 10, 2026
5
The experience that I had in the office from the beginning to the end, I felt really listened to and cared for and concerned and very informed about what I needed to do and when to come back. So I'm really thankful for Dr. Burroughs and her assistants and the people at the front desk. They were wonderful, every one of them. So I really, really appreciate what I had done out there the other day. So thank you. Bye.
June 6, 2026
5
Excellent.
July 25, 2026
4
Thank you
July 25, 2026
5
Excellent! The doctors are 100% professional and care about the health of the community. Thank you for your attention.
July 23, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is always professional and compassionate.
July 22, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is an excellent cardiologist. I love going to her. She's very good. She's very patient. She's very thorough. She listens to you and she's concerned and she takes note of everything that you mention and helps you to find ways to improve your health and also the staff there as well. Very warm, very friendly. They help you to want to keep your appointment as long as you can make it, even me at 79 years old.
July 19, 2026
5
We are so glad to have Dr. Burroughs as our cardiologist. She was very professional. She was very friendly and she answered all our questions exactly as we needed to be answered. So we're very happy with the practice and also with Dr. Burroughs. The girls up front were very friendly. We enjoyed visiting with them. Everything went well. Thank you.
July 19, 2026
5
I was very happy with your service
July 18, 2026
5
Everyone was very helpful. The doctor was just wonderful she answered all my questions
July 17, 2026
5
Dont remember the MA, but she was really nice and personable, Dr Burroughs, very good Dr. She sat down and listened to me, and I love that in a Dr.
July 15, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is great in my book!!
July 13, 2026
5
My experience with the hospital staff and the cardiology office was excellent. I told Dr. Burroughs straight up that I do have problems with communication and she was patient and very thorough.. not dismissive, not condescending, no evidence of an inflated ego, she is a very nice, polite woman who actually looks at you and listens. I rely on being able to read lips and I didn't tell Dr Burroughs because I forgot, thirty minutes, worse 15 minutes, I can't follow a conversation if I am rushed or can't see the physician's face and I have "word finding issues" so I get ignored by doctors. The problem I saw Dr Burroughs for, that didn't just happen. There's too much, it's alright, your tests are okay etc. I double check my labs myself. I have always thought highly of Wellstar going all the way back to Kennestone.
July 12, 2026
5
30 minute wait in exam room is too·long for a disabled patient.
July 10, 2026
5
Dr Burroughs was very compassionate to my condition explaining everything to me what to expect. Under her treatment my blood pressure was lower than many years ago. I left with confident how knowledgeable and personal. Never was she in a rush.
July 9, 2026
5
So grateful for Dr. Burroughs!! Cannot say enough about how thankful I am that she is my cardiologist.
June 30, 2026
4
I have no complaints about this girl. She's well-mannered and she listens and done everything that she could for me.
June 28, 2026
5
The check-in staff was very helpful and friendly. The nurse was very friendly and helpful and made sure I asked any questions. And the doctor was so nice and she was very knowledgeable and I was very comfortable with being there. I'm glad I came to that practice. Thank you.
June 28, 2026
5
Very courteous staff and physician. Felt comfortable and confident with Dr M B.
June 27, 2026
5
Ive been going to Dr Burroughs for a while and have appreciated her kind and professional support also the staff . I've now graduated to a once per year visit ..Thanks Dr Burroughs for helping to get me to this stage . .
June 26, 2026
5
The doctor and staff was outstanding and very professional.??
June 25, 2026
5
They are very helpful, very friendly professional and just amazing up there.I can't say enough good about them.
June 24, 2026
5
Great visit.
June 24, 2026
5
Today's visit with Dr. Burroughs, assistant and office staff, as in past visits, was exceptional. I have full confidence in the care they provide.
June 24, 2026
5
Very informative, good experience
June 21, 2026
5
I received great treatment at this medical office! I was checked in upon my arrival. The MA/nurse Ruth was so kind and caring as she took my vital signs. Dr. Burroughs is very knowledgeable and listens intently to my medical questions. She encourages me to continue with healthy lifestyle changes. I recommend this office to my friends and family.
June 15, 2026
5
It's a great place to be treated with perfection!!
June 13, 2026
4
I really have no other medical hospital facility to compare this one with. Therefore, l could not recommend Wellstar to.
June 13, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is a wonderful doctor and never makes me feel Like zi am being rushed in and out like so many do. She takes time with you and answers all your questions. I have not always had this sort of care with Wellstar Cardiology and have been a patient in the group for many years do have seen multiple doctors in the practice. Most run in and out and you feel like you are just a number in a practice to make money. So glad to have her as my doctor. Hope she stays at Wellstar because most of the good ones that I have had wend up leaving the practice.
June 11, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is a world class position. I trust her with my health.
June 10, 2026
5
Very professional.
June 10, 2026
5
The experience that I had in the office from the beginning to the end, I felt really listened to and cared for and concerned and very informed about what I needed to do and when to come back. So I'm really thankful for Dr. Burroughs and her assistants and the people at the front desk. They were wonderful, every one of them. So I really, really appreciate what I had done out there the other day. So thank you. Bye.
June 6, 2026
5
The experience that I had in the office from the beginning to the end, I felt really listened to and cared for and concerned and very informed about what I needed to do and when to come back. So I'm really thankful for Dr. Burroughs and her assistants and the people at the front desk. They were wonderful, every one of them. So I really, really appreciate what I had done out there the other day. So thank you. Bye.
June 6, 2026
5
Very professional.
June 10, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is a world class position. I trust her with my health.
June 10, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is a wonderful doctor and never makes me feel Like zi am being rushed in and out like so many do. She takes time with you and answers all your questions. I have not always had this sort of care with Wellstar Cardiology and have been a patient in the group for many years do have seen multiple doctors in the practice. Most run in and out and you feel like you are just a number in a practice to make money. So glad to have her as my doctor. Hope she stays at Wellstar because most of the good ones that I have had wend up leaving the practice.
June 11, 2026
4
I really have no other medical hospital facility to compare this one with. Therefore, l could not recommend Wellstar to.
June 13, 2026
5
It's a great place to be treated with perfection!!
June 13, 2026
5
I received great treatment at this medical office! I was checked in upon my arrival. The MA/nurse Ruth was so kind and caring as she took my vital signs. Dr. Burroughs is very knowledgeable and listens intently to my medical questions. She encourages me to continue with healthy lifestyle changes. I recommend this office to my friends and family.
June 15, 2026
5
Very informative, good experience
June 21, 2026
5
Today's visit with Dr. Burroughs, assistant and office staff, as in past visits, was exceptional. I have full confidence in the care they provide.
June 24, 2026
5
Great visit.
June 24, 2026
5
They are very helpful, very friendly professional and just amazing up there.I can't say enough good about them.
June 24, 2026
5
The doctor and staff was outstanding and very professional.??
June 25, 2026
5
Ive been going to Dr Burroughs for a while and have appreciated her kind and professional support also the staff . I've now graduated to a once per year visit ..Thanks Dr Burroughs for helping to get me to this stage . .
June 26, 2026
5
Very courteous staff and physician. Felt comfortable and confident with Dr M B.
June 27, 2026
5
The check-in staff was very helpful and friendly. The nurse was very friendly and helpful and made sure I asked any questions. And the doctor was so nice and she was very knowledgeable and I was very comfortable with being there. I'm glad I came to that practice. Thank you.
June 28, 2026
4
I have no complaints about this girl. She's well-mannered and she listens and done everything that she could for me.
June 28, 2026
5
So grateful for Dr. Burroughs!! Cannot say enough about how thankful I am that she is my cardiologist.
June 30, 2026
5
Dr Burroughs was very compassionate to my condition explaining everything to me what to expect. Under her treatment my blood pressure was lower than many years ago. I left with confident how knowledgeable and personal. Never was she in a rush.
July 9, 2026
5
30 minute wait in exam room is too·long for a disabled patient.
July 10, 2026
5
My experience with the hospital staff and the cardiology office was excellent. I told Dr. Burroughs straight up that I do have problems with communication and she was patient and very thorough.. not dismissive, not condescending, no evidence of an inflated ego, she is a very nice, polite woman who actually looks at you and listens. I rely on being able to read lips and I didn't tell Dr Burroughs because I forgot, thirty minutes, worse 15 minutes, I can't follow a conversation if I am rushed or can't see the physician's face and I have "word finding issues" so I get ignored by doctors. The problem I saw Dr Burroughs for, that didn't just happen. There's too much, it's alright, your tests are okay etc. I double check my labs myself. I have always thought highly of Wellstar going all the way back to Kennestone.
July 12, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is great in my book!!
July 13, 2026
5
Dont remember the MA, but she was really nice and personable, Dr Burroughs, very good Dr. She sat down and listened to me, and I love that in a Dr.
July 15, 2026
5
Everyone was very helpful. The doctor was just wonderful she answered all my questions
July 17, 2026
5
I was very happy with your service
July 18, 2026
5
We are so glad to have Dr. Burroughs as our cardiologist. She was very professional. She was very friendly and she answered all our questions exactly as we needed to be answered. So we're very happy with the practice and also with Dr. Burroughs. The girls up front were very friendly. We enjoyed visiting with them. Everything went well. Thank you.
July 19, 2026
5
Dr. Melissa Burroughs is an excellent cardiologist. I love going to her. She's very good. She's very patient. She's very thorough. She listens to you and she's concerned and she takes note of everything that you mention and helps you to find ways to improve your health and also the staff there as well. Very warm, very friendly. They help you to want to keep your appointment as long as you can make it, even me at 79 years old.
July 19, 2026
5
Dr. Burroughs is always professional and compassionate.
July 22, 2026
5
Excellent! The doctors are 100% professional and care about the health of the community. Thank you for your attention.
July 23, 2026
4
Thank you
July 25, 2026
5
Excellent.
July 25, 2026
Publications and Articles
RobertCare
Robert Frederick was living a typical life, going to work and spending time with his mother, siblings and children. But then it became hard to breathe when walking short distances or climbing stairs. He got dizzy. Perhaps most disturbingly, he passed out several times—once at a Braves baseball game he attended with his siblings.
"I didn't know what was going on!" Robert recalled.
Difficulty controlling AFib with medication
After passing out the first time, he went to urgent care and was then taken to the hospital by ambulance. He learned his symptoms were caused by atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat.
Robert began to see Dr. David Caras, a Wellstar general cardiologist, and learned AFib is related to high blood pressure. Successfully managing high blood pressure often helps people keep AFib under control. Despite their efforts, AFib sent Robert to the emergency room two more times.
Suspicion of HCM
Dr. Caras reviewed Robert’s hospital records and found he had increased wall thickness of the left ventricle and a gradient—a pressure difference between the left ventricle and the aorta when the heart pumps. These findings were consistent with a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, this disease makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively.
"We have physicians in the group—designated HCM specialists—that are the point person of the patient’s care," Dr. Burroughs explained. “This includes close communication and collaboration with electrophysiologists, surgeons, advanced heart failure specialists, social workers and behavioral health professionals.”
A rare finding leads to Mayo Clinic Care Network collaboration
Robert said, “Dr. Burroughs wanted to do genetic testing to verify that I had HCM."
But genetic testing revealed a rare genetic variant—one not known to be associated with HCM. Dr. Burroughs called it a “diagnostic conundrum.” The genetic variant found was typically associated with a different cardiac disease that Robert did not have. However, he did have clear signs of HCM.
To investigate further, Dr. Burroughs collaborated with other HCM experts through the Mayo Clinic Care Network, of which Wellstar is a member. Mayo Clinic, which is also an HCM Center of Excellence, provided access to its unpublished database, finding Robert’s rare mutation was present in two other family groups with HCM.
“It’s very important that we add to the science—that we include our patients in the registry to enhance what is already known about HCM,” Dr. Burroughs said.
Robert added, “Dr. Burroughs is very persistent. She wanted to know, ‘Why are you having these problems? What’s the root cause?’ She went above and beyond to find that out.”
