Throughout the course of his life, University of Alabama at Birmingham patient Bill Wingate has had four open heart surgeries, seven heart valve replacements and multiple heart catheterizations. Wingate is one of the estimated 2 million people living with a congenital heart defect, and this Heart Month, Wingate is using his story to inspire others.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a problem present at birth that involves the structure of the heart, its valves, or blood vessels. It is the most common type of birth defect, affecting about one in 100 babies. There are many types of congenital heart disease; some are mild, showing no signs or symptoms and often […]

About the UAB Cardiovascular Institute There’s no such thing as an ordinary heart problem – especially when that heart belongs to you or someone you care about. Trust your heart to the Cardiovascular Institute at UAB Medicine, which is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 50 hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & […]

February is American Heart Month, an annual observance designed to increase awareness about heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Each year, one in four deaths is caused by heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Fortunately, almost 80 percent of heart disease cases can be prevented when people make healthier choices and manage their medical conditions.