
When 7-year-old Averee was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition, cor triatriatum, specialists from Harrisburg and Pittsburgh teamed up to provide care.
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Every day, our heart and vascular health care team makes a difference in the lives of our patients.
The stories below profile some of the patients who came to UPMC for heart and vascular care.
Note: These patients' treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
Mariah suffered a sudden cardiac event while exercising at her local YMCA. She was rushed to UPMC Jameson and then UPMC Presbyterian, where she was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). An implantable cardioverter device allowed Mariah to return to a life of re-prioritized passions.
As an Air Force pilot, Bryan was required to undergo a physical examination, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), in order to renew his pilot medical certification. In the late '90s, his annual EKG came back abnormal, leading to his diagnosis of coronary artery disease. When Bryan learned he would need heart surgery over 25 years later, he turned to the experts at UPMC.
After receiving treatment for two aneurysms at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, John’s care team recommended that he undergo genetic testing, leading to John's diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. The collaborative care model at the UPMC Center for Aortic Disease ensured that John received the full scope of care for his complex aortic condition – from vascular surgery to congenital heart care to cardiac surgery.
Andrea didn’t have symptoms of a cardiac condition when she first visited the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Bedford, but a recommended stress test revealed cause for concern. Andrea eventually needed coronary artery bypass surgery to address three complete blockages in her heart but says the recovery went well, and she’s now back to living a life she enjoys.
An attorney and self-proclaimed workaholic, Dallas Hartman understands now the importance of slowing down and of trusting your health care team. After facing grim cardiovascular diagnoses twice, he put his complete faith in the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. Two life-saving procedures later, Dallas is enjoying life with his family and achieving a greater work-life balance.
After experiencing shortness of breath and undergoing a calcium score test, doctors discovered Audie’s carotid and coronary arteries were severely blocked. At UPMC Western Maryland, Audie received advanced cardiology and cardiac surgery services right in his community. Now, Audie is back to working part-time as a chiropractor and traveling new places with his wife.
Jeff went into cardiac shock after a heart attack. He underwent a transradial cardiac catheterization to open his blocked artery.
Jack gets plenty of exercise and takes care of his body, which is why he was shocked when tests revealed that he needed heart surgery despite having no symptoms. He’s now incredibly grateful for the team at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute who cared for him in the hospital - and the nurse practitioner who Jack says “saved his life” by encouraging the imaging.
After experiencing chest pain and breathing difficulties while performing routine tasks, a test revealed that arteries in Chuck’s heart had become 100% blocked, a condition known as chronic total occlusion. He was treated with a series of procedures at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute that required significantly more expertise than typical stenting.
Matthew was a healthy 18-year-old senior in high school when he suddenly collapsed at home one evening. Diagnosed with sudden cardiac arrest as a result of unknown hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Matthew was treated at both UPMC Altoona and UPMC Presbyterian. Today, he is thriving in college, with hopes to pursue a career in the medical field.