KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- East Tennessee will soon have the region's first heart hospital, now that UT Medical Center has broken ground on a new $26 million wing specifically designed to deal with cardiovascular disease.

The new four story wing will be built in front of the existing UT Medical Center.

Hospital officials say studies have shown that building such heart wings -- putting everyone together to deal with a common problem -- can mean the difference between life and death.

Dr. John Mack with UT Medical Center says, "That's why we stress doing a lot of procedures in a high volume center because the more you do the better you get at it. The fewer mistakes that you have and the better the patients do."

The 126,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed in 2010.