AHN Disease Prevention Program

While the term "heart disease" refers to various heart conditions, one thing's certain — prevention is key. Recognized as the leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease is a serious problem; and disease prevention, which includes risk factor recognition and management, can have a lifetime impact.

Focusing on goal-directed risk factor reduction can help reduce a patient’s risk of developing an adverse vascular or cardiac event such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, or peripheral arterial disease, which are the most common types of cardiovascular heart disease. A large proportion of cardiovascular disease is preventable.

Serving as a central hub for cardiovascular health, the AHN heart disease prevention program aims to educate, inform, and provide early detection and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors to help decrease the rates of heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure.

Our cardiovascular disease prevention and control program

AHN is committed to helping people feel — and be — their best. By prioritizing the patient experience, employees at all of AHN’s care sites — including primary and specialty care offices, hospitals, and Health + Wellness Pavilions — we aim to improve, educate, and promote health and wellness in as many ways as possible.

Heart and cardiovascular disease prevention and control program and clinics

Departments within the heart disease prevention program include:

  • Comprehensive Hypertension Center: This multidisciplinary center concentrates on the care and management of difficult-to-control high blood pressure. Learn more about the Comprehensive Hypertension Clinic at AHN.
  • Cardio-Oncology Clinic: Our heart specialists partner with your oncologist to help protect your heart while you undergo cancer treatments. Learn more about the Cardio-Oncology Clinic at AHN.
  • Lipid Clinic: A multidisciplinary team that includes board-certified lipid specialists, dietitians, and pharmacists dedicated to diagnosing and treating inherited and acquired lipid disorders to help patients lower their cholesterol levels. Patients also have access to some of the latest clinical trials. Learn more about the Lipid Clinic at AHN.
  • Women's Heart Center: Physicians who understand the unique conditions and presentations of heart disease in women help diagnose and treat women based on the latest guidelines. Another unique program that is part of the Women’s Heart Center is the Cardio Obstetrics Clinic that can assist in the management of heart disease during pregnancy as well as postpartum. This program also provides long-term follow-up for mothers who develop preeclampsia during pregnancy, to assess and counsel them on their individual future cardiovascular risk. Learn more about the Women's Heart Center at AHN.

In addition to the latest procedures, our patients may also have special access to various clinical trials (when available).

Meet the AHN Disease Prevention Program providers

Focused on providing the best cardiovascular disease prevention and control program available, our team of experts includes specialists in a variety of heart and cardio-related fields.

Lipid Clinic

Allegheny General Hospital providers:

Women's Heart Center

Director

Indu G Poornima, MD, FACC, FNLA

Dr. Poornima is the medical director of Nuclear Cardiology
Director of the Women’s Heart Center and Preventive Cardiology at AHN.

Allegheny General Hospital Women's Heart Center providers:

Wexford Hospital Women's Heart Center providers:

West Penn Hospital Women's Heart Center providers:

Cardio-Obstetrics providers:

AHN Comprehensive Hypertension Center

West Penn Hospital providers:

Allegheny General Hospital providers:

Cardio-Oncology Clinic

Allegheny General Hospital providers:

Wexford Hospital providers:

Saint Vincent Consultants in Cardiovascular Diseases providers:

How to seek care

If you’re looking into disease prevention, have been diagnosed with a heart condition, or are experiencing symptoms, we’re here to help. In addition to daily maintenance and management, our clinics focus on the root cause of heart conditions, aiming to help reduce risk factors for future events. By keeping a clear vision of individualized treatment plans, our program helps patients in need of cardiovascular care. 

Appointments and information for the AHN Disease Prevention Program

Not yet diagnosed

If you don’t have a diagnosis, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to make an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP). They will explore all possible causes of your symptoms.

Second opinions

If you’re looking for a second opinion, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to contact the Disease Prevention Program directly.

Physician referral

Talk with your PCP about further options if you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition or are seeking treatment for one. Your doctor may refer you to a heart disease prevention program for treatment.

Self-referral

If you’re experiencing a cardiac condition, want a second opinion, or would like to visit one of our cardiovascular disease prevention programs, you can refer yourself for treatment by calling (412) 359-4744 to reach the AHN Cardiovascular Institute directly.

Before calling, please have your current insurance information and the contact information of your primary care doctor (if you have one) on hand.

Both new and existing patients may call (412) 359-4744 to make an appointment to discuss heart health concerns, schedule an annual cardiac checkup, or refer themselves for treatment at a heart disease prevention program.

AHN heart disease prevention program locations

To provide the community with expert care, AHN offers convenient locations for patients with cardiac conditions, including:

Allegheny General Hospital
320 East North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
GET DIRECTIONS

(412) 359-3131

West Penn Hospital
4800 Friendship Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
GET DIRECTIONS

(412) 578-5000

Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion
12311 Perry Highway
Wexford, PA 15090
GET DIRECTIONS

(878) 332-4000

Not all treatments and procedures are available at every location. Please call to confirm.

Heart disease prevention research

AHN Cardiovascular Research Institute

AHN’s Cardiovascular Research Institute is established on more than 100 years of innovation, spanning diverse areas of focus, including research for the latest in heart disease treatments. Our qualified team and heart disease prevention doctors take pride in utilizing new devices and medications, as well as state-of-the-art devices, technology, and therapies, to help revolutionize care for heart disease patients.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are special research opportunities that explore medical treatments, strategies, or devices to ensure they’re safe and effective for humans.

Active clinical trials

By prioritizing research and innovation, our physicians and patients are engaged in more than 100 national and international clinical trials. Participating in these trials gives AHN patients special access to some of the newest potential treatment options for hypertension. Participation in clinical trials is based on meeting eligibility criteria.

To express interest in a clinical trial or learn more about research opportunities, check out our active clinical trials.

Heart disease prevention program information for health care professionals

Non-AHN providers  

Non-AHN providers can submit a referral online or by calling 1 (844) MD-REFER 1 (844) 637-3337. 

Non-AHN providers can use the EpicCare® Link™ platform to view updates on their patients’ care within AHN after the initial referral is completed.

Medical records

Whether you’re referring from near or far and need access to specific test results or imaging not provided in the EpicCare Link platform, please fill out a medical record request form.

EpicCare® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.


EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.

AHN Cardiovascular Institute appointments and access

Learn more about our appointment options, second opinions, locations, referrals, and resources.