My mother planned to come to Boston, where I live, for the surgery so she could stay with me during her recovery. (My father died last year.) Boston has three hospitals in the top rank of orthopedic surgery.

NEWYORKER: Big Med

Once again, the Cleveland Clinic is the top hospital for heart and heart surgery.

FORBES: Still The One: Cleveland Clinic Retains Top Spot On US News & World Report Heart Hospital Rankings

According to an AHA online survey, the top two reasons women defer heart surgery is "caring for others, " and "family responsibilities, " said Dr. Rakesh Suri, a consultant in the division of cardiovascular surgery at the Mayo Clinic.

MSN: Heart disease can be serious, silent in young women