Ankur Vyas, MD, MS

Biography

What led you to pursue a career in heart care? I’ve always been interested in cardiology. Throughout medical school and residency, it was a field I was always excited about and had an aptitude for. Particularly as an interventional cardiologist, I have the opportunity to help patients in situations that require a life-changing procedure.

Why did you choose to work for St. Luke’s? My wife is from the area, so we were interested in staying around here. During my training, I had the opportunity to work with the cardiology team at St. Luke’s, so I knew it was an excellent practice. I’m very happy to be part of the team.

What’s your proudest moment at St. Luke’s? There’s really no one case that stands out. All patients are unique. Every time I can help turn things around in the setting of a heart attack is a very fulfilling moment for me.

What’s the biggest thing you learn from caring for patients/what do our patients teach you? Patients teach me humility and to really listen to their concerns. If we do that, we can work together to get to the bottom of their heart care issues.

What do you believe makes St. Luke’s stand out in terms of heart care and other services? I believe it is the combination of a history of excellence in heart disease management, a group of top-notch cardiologists who are leading experts in the field, and a commitment to keeping up with new developments in the fast-evolving field of cardiology. St. Luke's has always been at the cutting edge for heart care and other services and has always been the area’s leader in heart care.

What are words you live by as a St. Luke’s team member? Why? My goal is to treat each patient with the same care I expect for myself and my loved ones.

Describe your family: My wife, Jennifer, and I have two boys, ages five and two.

What do you like to do in your free time/for fun? I run. I also like music and play the guitar. My favorite thing to do in my free time is spend it with my wife and kids.

What advice do you have for the community? Two things. First, be aware of heart attack symptoms and seek immediate care. If you have severe chest pain, severe shortness of breath or anything sudden or significant, go to the emergency department right away. Time is of the essence. The sooner we can open blocked arteries, the more heart muscle we can save.
Secondly, take steps now to modify your lifestyle to reduce the likelihood of heart disease. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, manage high blood pressure, watch or treat high cholesterol and avoid smoking. It’s a good idea to check in with your primary care provider at least once a year to keep on track.