Here at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Dr. Timothy Egan treats patients with all types of heart issues. He grew up in the Pioneer Valley, and after many years of living in different parts of the country, he says he was “so happy to be able to return home.” He says he and his wife love the area and are raising their four children here.

A non-invasive cardiologist, Dr. Egan has worked for Baystate Health for more than 11 years. He works at both Baystate Franklin and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

“I have long been interested in a career in medicine,” he says. “Early in life, I was influenced by my uncle, a physician, and I saw the difference he was able to make in other people’s lives.” But Dr. Egan didn’t decide on cardiology until he was well into medical school.

“Once I did my first rotation with cardiology, however, I was hooked,” he says.

Dr. Egan finds the field to be exciting and constantly evolving. He has seen many advances in the care that he and Baystate Health are able to provide in the past decade alone.

“I enjoy staying up to date on the changes that are being made in the field and implementing new treatments that will benefit my patients,” he says. “Furthermore, given how common heart disease is, my role has allowed me to provide care for a great number of patients.”

Working at Baystate Franklin for over a decade has been exceptionally rewarding, Dr. Egan explains.

“I have enjoyed providing care to patients (and sometimes their family members) from Greenfield and the surrounding areas,” he says. “As a provider in a community setting, you see a broader scope of patients and conditions, often before they may have to see a ‘sub-specialist’ at Baystate Medical Center. In those instances, it is also rewarding to continue to provide high-quality local follow-up care and to help patients navigate the often-complex medical system.”

Dr. Egan says the most rewarding aspect of his job is connections that he has made with patients and their families.

“I equally enjoy working with all the other members of our care team, who are invaluable in their roles supporting our patients,” he says. “I admire their dedication to the community and their day-to-day commitment to helping our patients.”

Ultimately, Dr. Egan says, the best way to build a relationship with a patient is to care for them over time. This allows him to best understand his patients individually and allows them to place their trust in Baystate Franklin’s cardiac care team.

“When I first started at BFMC, there were no Baystate cardiologists in Greenfield,” he says. “I was part of the initial group that established Baystate Heart & Vascular at Franklin. I am proud of how much we have grown over the past decade, from a small practice to a larger group with a wider scope that not only includes outpatient care but also inpatient care at BFMC, imaging, and some procedures. My colleagues in vascular surgery have provided their expertise as well. This has allowed many more patients to get the care they need much closer to home.”

To reach Baystate Cardiology, Greenfield, call 413-794-2273.

Baystate Health provides many heart and vascular services:

■Baystate’s Regional Heart Attack Program is known nationally for delivering life-saving care. During a heart attack, every minute counts. Baystate Health can unblock your artery up to 25 minutes sooner than the national standard. In fact, Baystate is in the top 10% of hospitals nationwide when it comes to this life-saving treatment, called an angioplasty.

■Baystate Medical Center is the only hospital in our area that can stop a heart attack instantly by unblocking an artery. The procedure is done 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

■Baystate’s Cardiac Surgery Program has earned a distinguished 3-star ranking from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for patient care and outcomes in aortic valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, and mitral valve replacement and repair surgery.

■Baystate Medical Center’s experts perform more than 80% of all cardiac surgeries in western Massachusetts. When it comes to heart surgery, Baystate is one of the top three highest-volume medical centers in Massachusetts.

■Baystate Children’s Hospital is specially designed to care for the youngest hearts. It has board-certified pediatric cardiologists and specialists, as well as resources for families — all set in a child-friendly environment.

■The latest clinical trials: Baystate Health understands that offering the very best care to you and your family means staying up-to-date on the latest drugs and techniques. Its team keeps Baystate Health on the leading edge of research. Baystate team members take part in cardiology clinical trials that lead to better care and healthier outcomes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about half of all Americans (47%) have at least 1 of 3 key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. There are some risk factors for heart disease that you cannot control, like age or family history. But heart disease prevention means lowering your risk by changing the factors you can control.

The term “heart disease” describes a range of conditions, like coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, heart attacks, and more that affect the health of your heart. Certain health conditions, along with your lifestyle, age and family history, can increase your risk for heart disease. These conditions are called risk factors. To prevent heart disease, doctors recommend focusing on preventable risks early in life.

While cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, it is also 80% preventable. You can prevent heart disease by:

■Choosing healthy foods that prevent heart disease

■Maintaining a healthy weight

■Getting regular exercise

■Not smoking

Anita Fritz is a lifelong resident of Franklin County. She was a reporter for the Greenfield Recorder for 20 years. She is currently the senior specialist for public affairs and community relations for Baystate Franklin Medical Center.