Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about every 25 seconds an American will have a coronary event. About one every minute will die from one.

But behind every statistic is a story. UT Southwestern brings compassion and academic medical expertise to patients who face even the most difficult challenges, such as Michael LeBlanc, who lived without a heart until a transplant organ became available, and Wenter Blair, whose rare genetic disorder causes extremely high cholesterol levels and a propensity for artery blockage. Both found treatment at UT Southwestern. Here are their stories.

	Medical Marvel – Michael LeBlanc
	The Gift of Life – Gene-o Parenica
	The Hidden Face of Heart Disease – Wenter Blair