Heart Disease Patient Stories

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.

Read Averee's story

Annette received the right diagnosis and treatment at UPMC, allowing her to attend her daughter’s wedding.

Read Annette Amendola's story

Tabby Baer has a family history of cardiac arrest and wanted to learn more about her own risk

Read Tabby Baer's story

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.

Read Mariah Berczel's story

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.

Read Bryan Bly's story

Follow Bob’s story of resilience as he overcomes a widow-maker heart attack, bypass surgeries, and ongoing cardiac care with the support of UPMC.

Read Bob Brown's story

Kyle Conway always knew he would need surgery to fix an aortic aneurysm. He turned to UPMC experts to safely remove the aneurysm.

Read Kyle Conway's story

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.

Read John Danchisko's story

Clyde Daubert had a cardiac catheterization revealing several arteries that led to heart surgery. Learn more about his experience at UPMC.

Read Clyde Daubert's story

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.

Read Andrea Ferguson's story

After being diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), Suzi Glass felt scared and uncertain. Here fears were eased by experts at the Magee-Womens Heart Program.

Read Suzi Glass's story

Paul walked into the Emergency Department at UPMC McKeesport with chest pain and quickly went into cardiac arrest. He was rushed to the cardiac catheterization lab, where he underwent a balloon angioplasty and stent placement.

Read Paul Glover's story

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.

Read Dallas Hartman's story

When one of Scott’s family members got diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, he decided to get tested for the rare genetic disorder as well. Not long after his own diagnosis, Scott needed surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and is now encouraging others to “get yourself checked out.”

Read Scott Herbert's story

Unable to find a solution for her high blood pressure, Barbara turned to the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute for answers. Tests revealed she needed coronary artery bypass surgery, and after a successful procedure, Barbara was able to proceed with her summer vacation plans a few weeks later.

Read Barbara Hillegass's story

Jim received world-class treatment for multiple serious heart conditions at UPMC, and was able to return home and recover with him family.

Read Jim Hines's story

Jim Julian's blocked arteries and cardiac arrest led him to triple bypass surgery at UPMC Mercy.

Read Jim Julian's story

Terry found renewed health and energy after a successful quadruple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at UPMC. Today, he lives a life free from chest pain.

Read Terry Keagle's story

After being diagnosed with aortic stenosis, Ann’s doctor told her about a new minimally-invasive procedure still in clinical trial. She was intrigued…but it was her husband who would have the surgery first. Now, they’re both back to their passions and making long-distance travel plans.

Read Ann Kemmerer's story

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.

Read Audie Klingler's story

Jeff went into cardiac shock after a heart attack. He underwent a transradial cardiac catheterization to open his blocked artery.

Read Jeff Kratzenberg's story

Bianca was suffering the long-term effects of preeclampsia and turned to the experts at the Magee-Womens Heart Program to help.

Read Bianca Labrador's story

Scott started his career in radio broadcasting in Williamsport in the 1970s. While his job brought him tremendous opportunities, he was neglecting his own health which soon caught up to him.

Read Scott M.'s story

While hospitalized for an unrelated problem, UPMC doctors discovered a mass the size of a tennis ball on Mark’s heart.

Read Mark Malecky's story

An avid bird watcher - Bob enjoys nature walks and studying the migration patterns of different species. But when it became difficult for Bob to catch his breath during one particular night-time journey, he turned to the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute for help.

Read Bob Mulvihill's story

After experiencing chest pain that radiated down his arm while mowing the lawn, Jim knew it was time to seek help. Through the Advanced Revascularization Clinic at UPMC Presbyterian, Jim received a convenient, single evaluation from experts in multiple specialties who constructed a plan of care specific to his needs.

Read Jim's story

"After suffering a heart attack, Michael was treated with a temporary heart assist device and through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at UPMC.

Read Michael Perdriel's story

Dennis thought he suffered a mild heart attack when he was diagnosed him with CTO. He underwent an angioplasty procedure.

Read Dennis Polega's story

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.

Read Jack's story

Lynn, a smoker, decided to have a cardiologist screen for her risk of heart disease. She was given a personal plan that reversed her risk.

Read Lynn Rutter's story

When Amanda Sanderson learned she was expecting her first child in 2013, she never expected to experience hypertension in pregnancy (also known as preeclampsia).

Read Amanda Sanderson's story

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.

Read Chuck Sartoris's story

In 2013, Ann had emergency surgery to repair a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Eight years later, she had emergency surgery for an aortic dissection. She's thankful for the excellent care she received over the years at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute.

Read Ann Sisley's story

Tim Smith had a cardiac catheterization after a heart attack. Learn more about his experience at UPMC.

Read Tim Smith's story

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.

Read Matthew Valente's story

Tim Valentine was at UPMC Altoona, where he received a life-saving heart procedure from George Jabbour, MD, to cure his broken heart syndrome, or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Now fully recovered, thanks to the Impella® pump, Tim is back to enjoying life with his wife.

Read Tim Valentine's story

At the age of 12, Emma underwent genetic testing and was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue and can cause serious issues in the aorta and heart valves. After committing to a college outside of Pittsburgh, Emma found the UPMC Center for Aortic Disease where she could receive advanced heart care while at school.

Read Emma Will's story