Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute

08/07/2025

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and a cause of disability in the U.S. Remember F.A.S.T. to spot a stroke and act quickly:

F = Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop? Ask them to smile.
A = Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask them to raise both arms.
S = Speech Difficulty - Is speech slurred? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
T = Time to Call 911 - If you see any of these signs, call 911 immediately!

Remember: Even if symptoms go away, still call 911.

Other symptoms of stroke include numbness, confusion, vision issues, and severe headaches. Learn more about stroke warning signs: https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms

08/04/2025

Healthy sleep is an essential component for ideal heart and brain health. Did you know that taking naps can support your overall sleep goals and contribute to improved health?

How Napping Benefits Your Health and Well-being:

☑️ Increases alertness
☑️ Supports mood and healthy stress response
☑️ Improves memory
☑️ Supports learning and creativity

Napping in the mid-afternoon appears to be most beneficial for supporting overall healthy sleep schedules. Keep it short - only 20-30 minutes to ensure you wake up refreshed.

Learn more about the benefits of taking a nap: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/sleep/benefits-of-napping

07/31/2025

The Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute implements a coordinated team approach to care, ensuring that all of our patients' needs are met. Each clinic offers teams of caring staff and experienced, board-certified providers.

We offer a range of high-quality, comprehensive services:
☑️Clinical Cardiology
☑️Diagnostic Imaging
☑️Interventional Cardiology
☑️Electrophysiology/Heart Rhythm Management
☑️Advanced Heart Failure Clinic
☑️Alaska Cardiovascular Surgery Center

We adhere to the highest standards of excellence to improve the cardiovascular health and quality of life for all Alaskans.

Learn more about our services: https://www.alaskaheart.com/care/services/

07/28/2025

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. Some women having a heart attack describe upper back pressure that feels like squeezing or a rope being tied around them.

Women may also experience:
-Anxiety
-Nausea or vomiting
-Fatigue
-Lightheadedness
-Pain in the jaw, neck, or back

Don't ignore these symptoms - they could save your life! Call 911 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Learn more: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women

07/25/2025

Looking for an easy and delicious heart-healthy breakfast recipe? Try these Fruity Oatmeal Yogurt Parfaits! They’re packed with heart-healthy fiber, protein, and antioxidants, and perfect for summertime.

Small changes in your eating habits can make a big difference for your heart!

Get the recipe and find other healthy eating tips:

This protein-packed breakfast is an easy, healthy way to start the day.

07/22/2025

Our Patient Portal provides a user-friendly and secure platform for managing your healthcare needs.

Within the Patient Portal, you can:
☑️Communicate securely with your provider
☑️Request medication refills
☑️Request appointments
☑️Get 24/7 access to your medical records and lab results
☑️Arrange for appointment reminders to be sent to your cell phone and email

Learn more at: https://www.alaskaheart.com/patient-portal/

07/18/2025

Did you know...owning a dog can help prevent chronic conditions such as diabetes and depression, and simply petting a dog helps lower blood pressure!

Learn more great facts about the impact of pets in our lives from the American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/pet-owners/best-friend-fridays-infographic

Happy Best Friend Friday(tm)!

07/17/2025

We're incredibly proud to announce that Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute has achieved a huge milestone! Our Alaska Cardiovascular Surgery Center is the first ambulatory outpatient facility to utilize Medtronic's Affera™ Mapping and Ablation System featuring the Sphere-9™ catheter.

This cutting-edge technology represents a significant advancement in treating atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. The system combines high-density mapping with both pulsed-field (PF) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation capabilities in a single catheter. This allows our physicians to tailor treatments to each patient's specific needs, while potentially reducing procedure times and improving efficiency and patient outcomes.

Our physicians have successfully completed cases at both Providence Alaska Medical Center and the Alaska Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Anchorage, and we're thrilled to report that these initial cases have been tremendously successful.

A special congratulations to Dr. Steve Compton, Dr. Mark Willcox, Dr. Krzysztof Balaban, and Dr. Yiming Wu for their exceptional skill and dedication in completing these innovative procedures. Their expertise and commitment to bringing world-class cardiac care to the people of Alaska has opened new possibilities for outpatient cardiac procedures.

07/15/2025

We offer a complete line of cardiology services, including non-invasive diagnostic testing.

Some of the non-invasive testing procedures we offer include:

-Echocardiography – 3D Echo
-Holter and Event Monitoring
-Carotid Ultrasound
-Exercise Stress Testing
-Cardiac CT
-Peripheral Arterial and Venous Ultrasound and Mapping
-Cardiac MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
-Nuclear SPECT Imaging

See more of our service offerings on our website here: https://www.alaskaheart.com/care/services/

07/11/2025

Wondering how to fit in 2 ½ hours of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week? Summer in Alaska makes it easier! Break movement up into smaller chunks throughout the week, and try something new to keep it fun.

Alaska Summer Activity Ideas:

🥾Hiking local trails
🚴Biking around your neighborhood
🏊Swimming at local pools
👟Walking
👒Gardening (yes, it counts as exercise!)

Other activities that support your movement goals include dancing, cleaning, and shopping…every step counts toward better heart health!

Find more tips for staying active and having fun this summer at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active/25-ways-to-move-more-during-summer

07/08/2025

We are excited to officially announce Bob and Lucretia Craig as the 2025 Alaska Heart Run & Walk co-chairpersons 🎉

Robert “Bob” Craig is chief executive officer at Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute and Lucretia Craig, RN, MSM, BSN, CPC, is principal owner of Gemini Executive & Professional Coaching. Please join us in welcoming them as our fearless leaders for this year's Alaska Heart Run & Walk!

Read the full news release: http://spr.ly/61864sPpm

The 2025 Alaska Heart Run & Walk is on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. Learn more and register for the event at http://spr.ly/61874sPpW.

07/07/2025

New to AHVI? We're here to help!

We are pleased to be your provider of cardiovascular care. We strive to provide the best possible experience, from the medical care you receive from your provider to the customer service from our support staff.

Your First Steps as a New Patient:

☑️ Schedule your appointment
☑️ Have your referring provider fax your records to us
☑️ Get directions to your specific provider's office location
☑️ Come prepared with your ID, health insurance card, prescription medications, and list of any vitamins or supplements you take
☑️ Access our Patient Portal after your first visit

Learn more: https://www.alaskaheart.com/care/for-new-patients/