More experience repairing hearts.

Purcells

Melvin Purcell has seen and experienced many medical innovations over his lifetime. He was one of the first people in the nation to undergo cardiac bypass surgery, allowing him to continue to do the things he loved doing.

Now, many years later, Melvin experienced another innovation. He was one of the first in Utah to receive a new aortic valve via a small catheter instead of by traditional open heart surgery, which means a person can get back to their normal activities sooner.

In Melvin’s case, it means he can more quickly get back to life with the one he loves, his wife Dorothy.

Durrant

Planned and unplanned heart treatments confronted Neil and Jolene Durrant.

In Neil’s case, it was a scheduled heart angiogram. In Jolene’s case, it was a massive heart attack after which Neil performed CPR to help save her life. What makes the story unusual is that both Durrants’ were in the hospital at the same time, the first time that had ever happened at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

McKenzie’s Story

McKenzie Adams, an active 20-year-old outdoor enthusiast from Sandy, suffered a debilitating stroke, causing paralysis on her left side and loss of vision in her left eye.

She was rushed to Intermountain Medical Center where testing revealed McKenzie had a lesion on her brain and a hole in her heart, which was the source of the blood clot that caused her stroke.

Expert Intermountain surgeons repaired the hole in her heart, and she has regained all function and is now back to working on her backhand.

Charli’s Story

It’s hard for any mother to keep up with a two-year-old child; it was especially hard for Charli Noyes. Charli’s pulmonary heart valve wasn’t working right, robbing her of the energy needed to match strides with her child.

Charli’s problem started at birth – she had already had two open heart surgeries to help fix her problem, both of which involved a long incision in her chest and long weeks of recovery.

New technology and skilled experts at Primary Children’s Medical Center were able to replace Charli’s pulmonary valve using a tiny catheter through a very small incision in her leg. Charli’s recovery took a few days, not weeks, meaning she is able to be an energetic mother of a two-year-old again.

Intermountain has the technology to fix heart problems,
You have the technology to prevent them.

It’s Never Too Late to Start Preventing Heart Problems

It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, you can start preventing heart problems today. Create your heart healthy habits by starting with some easy steps and build up from there.

It’s never too late to start.

The Importance of Keeping Your Heart Healthy

What should you know about keeping your heart healthy? Knowing your cholesterol, blood pressure and weight and how they affect your heart is a good start, but also important is your family history.

Use the Heart Risk Assessment tool (you’ll find the link for it on the left) to see where you are.

Starting today, what should you be doing?

A few examples of why Intermountain is one of the leading heart research organizations.

13 Heart Disease Genes Discovered

Initially, there were 10 genes known to be related to heart disease. Intermountain Healthcare researchers have been part of an international team that has discovered an additional 13.

Reduced heart risk, reduced Alzheimer’s risk

Utilizing data from thousands of past patients, Intermountain researchers have discovered a link between heart health and Alzheimer’s.

Saving Lives Through Education

There is widespread evidence to show that heart failure medications and devices can improve survival, but results from a new study show that providing patient education is just as important.

Some examples of the incredible heart procedures occurring at Intermountain Healthcare.

Aortic valves replaced using a catheter

There’s nothing new in using catheters to fix heart problems. What’s new is replacing an entire aortic valve using a catheter. That means a small, inch-wide incision for major heart surgery. Which in turn means a person may be back to their normal activities sooner.

There’s only one Utah healthcare organization qualified to perform this procedure: Intermountain Healthcare. Just one of many reasons we’re Utah’s heart care leader.

Technology we were the first in Utah to implant

This small, yet remarkably advanced device generates 10 liters of liquid flow per minute. Why is that so astounding? That liquid happens to be blood, flowing to the aorta of a patient suffering from advanced heart failure. It pumps as much as a normal, healthy heart.

Only one Utah healthcare organization was among the first in the nation qualified to implant this lifesaving device: Intermountain Healthcare.

Just one of many reasons we’re Utah’s heart care leader. The LVAD discussed on this page is part of an advanced stage clinical trial designed to gain FDA approval. As such this procedure may not be covered by your insurance.

One Utah healthcare organization is better at diagnosing chest pain

Hospital emergency rooms nationwide have done research on how to diagnose chest pain.

One Utah healthcare organization has rigorously studied all the national research and distilled it into one standard proven to work best. Because of it, the chest pain diagnosis at Intermountain Healthcare is faster and more correct, so each individual patient can be treated as effectively as possible.

Just another reason we’re Utah’s leading heart care organization.

A team approach to heart transplants ensures better success

At Intermountain Healthcare, we’ve implemented a team approach in our heart transplant program that ensures patients are more prepared before their transplant and better cared for afterwards.

Heart monitors delivered to people’s homes

At Intermountain Healthcare, we receive many calls from people worried about heart rhythm problems.

After a screening that ensures no immediate care is needed, we send heart monitors to their homes. These advanced monitors transmit data to experts who evaluate it and involve a cardiologist if necessary. This helps people proactively solve heart problems, or have peace of mind if no problem exists.

Just another reason we’re Utah’s leading heart care organization.

New Heart Catheter Technology. Better results

A new magnetic catheter opens up possibilities for heart patients, allowing our heart experts to perform a procedure never before done in the United States: inserting a heart pump during an arrhythmia procedure.

Heart rhythm treatments results no one else matches

Heart arrhythmia issues are common. Luckily, they can almost always be cured. But treatment results are not the same everywhere.

Utilizing proven technology and techniques, one Utah healthcare organization solves arrhythmia problems more often with better results, helping people feel better and live longer. That organization is Intermountain Healthcare.

Just one of the many reasons we’re Utah’s heart care leader.