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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 & World Report. From high blood […]

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cardiovascular Institute has received four prestigious awards from the American Heart Association for its commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure through reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat, occurring when the two top chambers of the heart (atria) beat out of rhythm with the two lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). If left untreated, this type of rapid, chaotic heartbeat can stretch and weaken the heart muscle. Atrial fibrillation also may restrict blood flow to other […]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges that social determinants of health – such as race, finances, housing, and employment – can lead to disparities in health outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation (AF, or “A-Fib”) is the most common type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. Often mistaken for normal heart palpitations or written off as the result of aging, AF usually increases in duration and severity over time if untreated. AF affects 2 million Americans and is responsible for one in four strokes among people over 80.

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 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.