Find out what your heart wants and needs with a free screening from University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center

By Laura Briedis

Every February during American Heart Month, our attention turns to heart health. But for cardiologists at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute at UH Geauga Medical Center, a Campus of UH Regional Hospitals, it is their focus 365 days a year, 115,200 heartbeats a day.

To provide the most advanced heart care close to home, the hospital is always adding new physicians, most recently welcoming Dr. Akram Elgendy, who specializes in cardiovascular medicine and echocardiography.

Uniquely qualified with experience treating patients from different backgrounds and from different cultures, Dr. Elgendy has practiced medicine on three continents. After studying in Egypt and completing a residency in Qatar, he moved to the United States where he completed an internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, followed by an advanced echocardiography fellowship at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.

“I see a wide spectrum of patients, from those who just need help managing their hypertension and cholesterol, to those with complex heart valve diseases, to patients with heart failure,” says Dr. Elgendy. “I help each patient take ownership of his or her own health and partner with them by offering personalized care.”

Because many cardiac issues are complex, Dr. Elgendy takes time to explain the problem, shows images, offers treatment options and outlines what to expect. It is this supportive and caring demeanor that patients seek out.

“I encourage everyone over 35 years old to get their blood pressure and lipid levels checked, and for those with any symptoms we have advanced heart screening tests,” he says.

Though Dr. Elgendy admits genetics can play a big role in heart disease, he says there are things you can do to minimize your risk, by controlling modifiable risk factors, including eating a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet low in fat, carbs and sugar to help manage weight. “Studies also show that moderate to vigorous exercise for just 10 minutes a day can substantially reduce the risk of death and is associated with additional health benefits for people over age 40,” he notes.

Dr. Elgendy specializes in echocardiography and interventional echocardiography, a rapidly evolving field in which real-time imaging guidance assists with placement of structural heart devices and allows immediate evaluation of the heart’s function. “I work closely with the structural team and the heart valve surgeons, and offer echo guidance and assessment during structural heart intervention procedures,” he says.

UH Geauga Medical Center has all of the same heart screening tools, medical equipment and expertise as the main campus, so patients can get the same expert care close to home without having to travel downtown.

Free Heart Screening
An innovative heart health tool, the CT Coronary Calcium Score Test, helps determine your future risk of a heart attack so you can take preventive measures to improve your heart health.

This noninvasive, low-dose CT scan only takes about 15 minutes—and it can save your life. It is offered at no cost to patients at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

The CT scan measures the amount of calcium that has accumulated in the walls of the coronary arteries and provides a score based on how much plaque you have. The higher the score, the higher your risk of coronary disease.

If your calcification number is high, University Hospitals encourages patients to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist, so they can learn how to prevent further blockages in the heart.

To schedule an appointment for a free screening, call 440-901-6104.

University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, a Campus of UH Regional Hospitals, is located at 13207 Ravenna Road, in Chardon. You can learn more at UHHospitals.org/Geauga, or make an appointment by calling 440-901-6104.

UH is bringing health experts to the community through a series of virtual health talks. The virtual seminars include a presentation by physicians who are experts in their field, followed by a Q&A session. These events are free but registration is required. Visit, UHHospitals.org/Health-Talks to learn more.