Your heart has one of the most important jobs in your body – by pumping blood all around you, it gives you the energy you need for your daily life. When problems happen with your heart, you want the best experts and care to get your heart back on your beat.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. Several medical conditions and lifestyle choices can put you at a higher risk for heart disease, like:
If you or someone in your family has heart problems, you want to find the best heart care around. You only have one heart. You don’t want to trust it to just anyone.
UVA Health’s cardiologists and vascular surgeons have the deep training and experience you want when looking for someone to guide your care. We make sure you get the thorough, expert attention you deserve.
In fact, UVA Health’s heart and vascular care expertise has been honored with a number of awards.
U.S. News & World Report ranked 4 of our heart treatment services as “high-performing,” which means they’re among the best in the U.S.:
And, we’ve gotten recognition from the American Heart Association, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and more. See our heart care awards.
Many heart conditions can be avoided with the right combination of diet, exercise, and awareness.
Keeping to a heart-healthy diet (eating lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains) and limiting junk food and sugary drinks are great first steps to keeping your heart in good shape.
Exercise also does lots of good for your heart. You don’t need an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment at home even just taking a walk or riding your bike can help keep your heart in tip-top shape.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your heart might need some extra attention. When heart disease starts to develop, our providers can help with:
The following information can help you with preventing and managing your heart conditions. And, you can read about some of our heart experts and how they’ve helped patients here at UVA Health.
Laugh every day. [caption id="attachment_3086" align="alignright" width="263"] Celebrating Heart Month[/caption] Laughter reduces stress and improves your heart health. Need to get your laugh on? See some comedy at one of these Charlottesville venues: Bent Theatre Live Arts
Make sure that your diet is rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber, and low in saturated fats. [caption id="attachment_3086" align="alignright" width="263"] Celebrating Heart Month[/caption] Divide your plate at each meal: half vegetables, ¼ high-quality protein (like legumes) and ¼ fish or lean meat. Find out more about the USDA's food…
Most of us get together with friends or go on dates for activities that center on eating and food. [caption id="attachment_3086" align="alignright" width="263"] Celebrating Heart Month[/caption] Make it a point to try something else instead – when was the last time you swung on a swing? Rode bikes or went…
Your heart needs rest, too! Though often overlooked, sleep supports and promotes all your body’s functions. It’s even important for weight-loss. Yet making sure you get right amount and the right kind can be challenging. Try one of these for a good night’s rest: Restorative yoga: One or two relaxing…
Pick one day every week that you’ll eat fish, either grilled or baked. [caption id="attachment_3086" align="alignright" width="263"] Celebrating Heart Month[/caption] Fish, especially salmon, is a great source of protein and heart-healthy omega-3s. You can also find heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in tuna, halibut, herring and mackerel.
Treat yourself to a glass of red wine with some dark chocolate. [caption id="attachment_3086" align="alignright" width="263"] Celebrating Heart Month[/caption] Try to get chocolate with 55% or higher cacao. Wine and chocolate are a great source of antioxidants. Just don’t go overboard and indulge too much.
Sidestepping a Third Open-Heart Surgery “For the most part, I live the life of an average 24-year-old graduate student,” says Brandon Conroy. But like others born with congenital heart defects, he’s also in the hospital a lot. He has been through two open-heart surgeries: The first at age 5 to…
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