The Heart Series

Preventing & Reversing Heart Disease

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, The Heart Series will not be holding meetings until further notice. Please feel free to view our videos and take a risk factor assessment in the meantime.

Assess Your Heart Disease Risk Today

Complete the The Heart Series Risk Factor Analysis to find your risk of having a heart attack in the next 10 years.

Tools to Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke

Educational talks by Charles Katzenberg, MD

Watch past lectures on our videos page

Developing the 4 Pillars of Health

Hundreds have participated in our 12-week, evidence-based program led by medical experts in cardiovascular health, nutrition, exercise, stress management, peacefulness and community. Many past participants credit The Heart Series with life-saving changes in the quality and focus of their lives.

The Heart Series was created by Charles Katzenberg, MD, cardiologist with University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, and Edna Silva, RN, cardiac rehabilitation nurse and founder of the Center for Wu Style T’ai Chi Chuan.

Success Stories from Participants in the Heart Series

Effective Techniques

I joined The Heart Series program in 1995 after undergoing two angioplasty procedures. Being a physician, I understood the medical aspects of my heart disease and started the program with some initial skepticism. I felt my experience in The Heart Series contributed greatly to my ability to deal with and manage my heart disease.

– J.S., MD

Avoided Surgery

In 2002 my husband had a heart attack. I came to The Heart Series with my husband so I could support him. I soon discovered that I also had heart disease which was so severe that bypass surgery was recommended. I said NO! I met with Dr. Katzenberg and followed the program. I lost 45 pounds, my lipid profile improved, my heart collaterals are growing and I feel better than I have in years.

– S.P.

Lifted From Depression

After my heart attack, I was sure that my productive life had ended at age 60. I was depressed when I entered The Heart Series program. The education I received has given me confidence that I have considerable control over my life. I recommend this program to anyone who is interested in leading a healthier life whether or not they have heart disease.

– M.D., PhD

Charles Katzenberg, MD, FACC

Dr Katzenberg has been practicing cardiology in Tucson since 1982. After medical school at the University of Illinois, he completed Pulmonary and Cardiology fellowships. He is a founder of Pima Heart Associates and the Fitness Institute of Tucson. Dr Katzenberg was the Medical Director of the Tucson Heart Hospital from 1997 through 2005. He specializes in preventive cardiology and has an active interest in reforming our health care system. Currently he is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center.

Edna Silva, RN

Edna Silva has been an RN since 1965 and T’ai Chi instructor since 1994. She has worked in multiple settings including a 1000 bed military hospital in Germany to a 20 bed hospital in the mountains of Colorado. For the past 20 years she has worked in the field of Cardiac Rehabilitation. Her work as Heart Failure clinic coordinator for Northwest Medical Center showed that her patients reduced hospitalizations and hospital days by more then 80%. Additionally, her work showed a 44% reduction in mortality. Her patients also showed an impressive improvement in their quality of life. Today her life is spent doing what she loves; keeping people out of hospitals through health teaching and T’ai Chi at Edna Silva's Center for Wu Style T’ai Chi.