One Saturday morning in June, Jamie Smith, 47, began her shift at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. What Smith thought would be a normal day led to her waking up in a hospital bed three days later.

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is a serious heart condition that affects the rhythm of the heart causing it to beat irregularly. It is estimated to affect 40 million people worldwide and 6 million in the United States alone, according to the Heart Rhythm Society. By 2035, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 12.1 million people in the United States will have AFib.

The Specialty Clinics of UAB Hospital at UAB Medical West are now accepting adult patients of all ages for non-emergency care. Staffed by experienced and compassionate UAB Medicine doctors, nurses, and other professionals, these clinics are located on the 6th floor of the UAB Medical West medical office building (MOB) in Bessemer, Ala.

The holiday season can be a time filled with friends, family and, of course, holiday food and beverages. While it is perfectly fine to indulge in one’s favorite food and beverages this holiday season, it is best to avoid overindulging in these items, which can potentially lead to a condition known as holiday heart syndrome — also known as atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat that is associated with binge drinking. AFib caused by holiday heart syndrome can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and even heart attacks.

The study found that 70-75 percent of all participants, regardless of whether they were already on blood pressure medications or not, were likely to see a reduction in their blood pressure if they lowered the sodium in their diet.

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 clinic is a partnership between the UAB Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Opened in May […]

The aorta is the main vessel that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body, and it is made up of 3 layers. An aortic dissection is a tear in the wall of the aorta that occurs between the inner and middle of those 3 layers. As the tear extends along the […]

Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death and a major cause of disability. Heart disease can be inherited (congenital) or acquired during a lifetime of factors such as a damaging diet, lack of exercise, and the presence of stress. Most commonly, heart disease affects the coronary arteries, where plaque obstructs blood flow in […]

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD, or simply alpha-1), is an inherited genetic disorder that may cause lung disease in adults and liver disease at any age. For people with this condition, the abnormal alpha-1 antitrypsin protein builds up in the liver instead of being released normally into the body. The condition affects about 1 in every […]

An aneurysm occurs when a weakening in the wall of an artery allows the vessel to bulge out like a balloon. Normally this is caused by a combination of potential risk factors including smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, advanced age, or weak vessels due to conditions such as connective tissue disorders. Aneurysms can occur in any […]

Heart valves help ensure that blood only flows in one direction through the heart. Aortic insufficiency is a heart valve disease in which the aortic valve does not close tightly, allowing a small amount of blood to flow in the wrong direction from the aorta (the largest blood vessel) into the left ventricle (a chamber of the heart). This makes […]