Nearly 32 years ago, Jeana Nesmith Russell was beginning her dream career as a nurse in one of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s hospital units while pursuing her graduate degree. Little did she know that her life was about to change forever.

Last month, a structural heart team composed of interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cardiovascular Institute completed the first valve-in-valve procedure using the Evolut™ FX TAVR system, a self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement system.

Medical experts know that certain risk factors play important roles in a person’s chances of developing heart disease. They also understand that the risk for heart disease tends to run in families. By looking at your health history family tree, you can learn which risk factors you may have inherited and use this information to make lifestyle choices for maintaining a healthier heart.

Medical experts say it’s easier to maintain a heart-healthy diet when you cook at home. Surveys show that people tend to do more cooking at home during summer and early fall, because they grill out more often during those seasons. Experts don’t always agree on which grilled foods are the healthiest, but following the basic guidelines below can help you make grilling season a heart-healthy and delicious dining experience.

The UAB Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) is proud to be consistently recognized as one of the top programs in the country. Learn more about our most recent national and regional honors listed below.

The UAB Sports Medicine Cardiology Clinic helps young athletes with heart (cardiac) problems return to the playing field quickly and safely—including patients affected by COVID-19. Located at UAB Hospital-Highlands, the highly specialized clinic focuses on young athletes who need cardiac care along with sports medicine treatment. Because COVID-19 can sometimes lead to serious heart conditions, we recommend a medical evaluation for all young athletes who have had COVID-19 with symptoms.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Cardiovascular Institute has been awarded the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Ventricular Assist Device Destination Therapy program for the seventh time. Ventricular assist devices, or VADs, are implanted mechanical pumps that support heart function and blood flow in patients who have weakened hearts.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s cardio-oncology program has received GOLD status — the highest designation of certification from the International Cardio-Oncology Society.

Many people with high blood pressure (hypertension) don't know they have it. It causes damage slowly over a long period of time, often without noticeable symptoms, and it puts you at greater risks for developing life-changing and life-threatening medical conditions.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with one person dying of heart disease every 36 seconds. Although lifestyle factors play a major role in the risk of cardiovascular diseases, experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cardiovascular Institute have determined that genetics may also play a role in the development of cardiovascular risk factors.

After having three open-heart surgeries, six cardiac catheterizations, five blood clots and two valve replacements all by the age of 13, Seth Wharton has overcome many obstacles and celebrated multiple achievements in his life. Now at the age of 44, Wharton has a new achievement under his belt — a Guinness World Record.

No one wants to think about potential health issues when traveling. Unfortunately, long car rides or flights raise your risk of getting a blood clot, spoiling your vacation, or worse.