A pacemaker is a surgically implanted device that sends out an electric pulse, prompting your heart to beat. Pacemakers are used in people who have abnormally slow heart rates.
Nurturing Your Heart: Cardiology Expertise at UVA Health (Page 9)
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:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol overuse
Cardiovascular Care at UVA Health
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.
Recognized Heart Care from UVA Health
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.
Prevention is Key
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.
UVA Health Heart Treatment & Management
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your heart might need some extra attention. When heart disease starts to develop, our providers can help with:
- Advanced imaging options to diagnose issues
- Genetic testing counselors
- Devices that diagnose, manage, and treat heart disorders
- Procedures and treatment options that avoid big surgeries
- Surgeons with experience in open and minimally invasive techniques
We’re Here for Your Heart
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.
Neurosurgeon Kenneth Liu, MD, began piano lessons at a young age. He really wanted to learn the guitar, but his parents wouldn’t let him. So when he was around 16, he started going over to a friend’s house to learn in secret.
Cyclist John Reynolds was starting to feel out of breath and lethargic. Some days, he couldn't finish his ride so he turned around and went home early.
Certain conditions and behaviors can mean your heart is as healthy — or unhealthy — as someone much older or younger than you. Smoking, for example, can lead to a stroke or heart attack even in your 20s. Calculate your heart age to find out if you're at risk.
If you don't treat peripheral arterial disease, it can lead to gangrene, and you may even need to have the affected limb amputated. Listen to this week's podcast for information about PAD treatments.
February is National Heart Month, and throughout the month we’re profiling some UVA doctors who embrace activities that keep them healthy and young at heart. Dr. Dacus plays sports to stay fit and have fun.
Your 40s were stressful, and things aren't slowing down in your 50s. You might be dealing with menopause, sex issues or heart disease, and you need to be getting cancer screenings.
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