Dear Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation® (MHIF) fans and friends,

Happy summer! Is it only we Midwesterners who rejoice so completely in warm weather? I hope you can all carve out time to enjoy this beautiful season.

Good work continues at MHIF as we assess, streamline and focus to unabashedly deliver on our Vision and Mission. Our team begins and ends every day with the purpose to improve the cardiovascular health of individuals and communities through innovative research and education.

I continue to be in awe of MHIF researchers’ tireless pursuit to uncover better pathways of care. The innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and idea-driven culture here is inspiring. You will see the results of this work in the following pages.

As I approach my one-year anniversary with MHIF, I’m astounded by the passion and generosity of our supporters. I have met many of you in person, and there are many more that I hope to meet and thank this year. My favorite story to tell is the MHIF story. I would love to hear your version.

With continued gratitude,

Kristine Fortman, Ph.D. CEO, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

Helping congestive heart failure patients avoid rehospitalizationWhen fluid builds up in the lungs of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), medical intervention is often needed. But by the time symptoms such as shortness of breath or increased fatigue are present, patients may need to be rehospitalized. Not only is this stressful for the patient, it’s also costly.

In search of a better method of diagnosis and treatment, MHIF is participating in the SMILE (Sensible Medical Innovations lung fLuid status monitor allows rEducing readmission rate of heart failure patients) study.

In the study, a wearable vest called the SensiVest is worn by CHF patients for 90 seconds, once a day, to measure the amount of fluid in their lungs. The results are provided to their physician via a secure web portal. The patient does not need to visit a clinic or hospital to obtain readings, and the physician can review the results and take measures, such as changing medications or dosages, before the patient develops symptoms.

“Using noninvasive technology to detect fluid buildup in heart failure patients improves our ability to direct treatment before a problem arises, and may reduce risk of rehospitalization, which is good for the patient and can reduce health care costs,” said Dr. Peter Eckman, who is leading the study at MHIF. “We are excited to be part of this type of innovative work.”

Read more about the study at mplsheart.org/smile.

Diabetes telemedicine studyA new MHIF study seeks to determine whether patients who receive education and phone coaching from a registered dietitian nutritionist with diabetes expertise, in addition to care from their primary care physician, make greater improvements in their health than those who don’t receive the additional support.

Read more news at mplsheart.org/news

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INNOVATION IN ACTION

NEWS

WELCOME FROM THE CEO

From theHeart MINNEAPOLIS HEART

INSTITUTE FOUNDATION®

SUMMER 2016

INSIDE:

CEO Welcome

Innovation in Action

A Look Inside MHIF

Take Care of Your Heart

Stories of Impact

News & Events

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Gifts of all sizes help fund our life-changing,

lifesaving work.

To learn more, visit mplsheart.org/makeanimpact.

Raymond Plank, a Founder and former Board Chair of MHIF was recognized at the annual Founders to the Future event in May. In the 1980s, Mr.

Plank helped build a coalition of community leaders and grateful patients, who, along with the founding physicians, built a strong base of support for MHIF. This group has been critical in making cardiovascular research and education at MHIF possible now and for future generations.

MHIF joins our community in thanking Mr. Plank and all of the Founders for their generous gifts of time, talent and financial support.

Sufficient sleep has long been associated with good health, but in recent years, researchers have drawn a correlation between sleep and heart health. One study found a possible direct link between lack of sleep and calcium in the arteries,

causing a buildup of plaque and raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.

In another study, researchers found that people who suffer from insomnia — difficulty falling or staying asleep — may be at significantly greater risk of these negative heart health effects. People who reported difficulty falling or staying asleep had a 45 percent greater risk of a heart attack compared to those who regularly fell asleep without trouble.

If you have difficulty sleeping, you may find that eating these sleep-promoting foods can help you get more and higher-quality sleep at night.

AHA Heart WalkOn May 14, 25 MHIF staff members and their families participated in the American Heart Association Heart Walk at Target Field, along with an incredible 20,000 other participants. The weather was cold but spirits were high! It was a fun morning and a wonderful opportunity to support a partner organization that is working alongside MHIF to improve heart health.

Research InternshipThanks to support from generous donors, the 2016 research interns will have the opportunity to conduct research, observe patients and procedures, and learn about the field of cardiology from physician mentors and research staff.

Cardiovascular death in triathlonsA study performed by MHIF researchers was honored at the American College of Cardiology’s 2016 Scientific Sessions in April. The study, titled “Fatalities in United States Triathlons: An Extended Profile,” was awarded Best Poster and Best Cardiovascular Team Poster. The study examined triathlon deaths in an effort to understand and reduce potential cardiovascular risks for triathlon participants.

Attend the Heartbeat GalaThe 2016 MHIF Heartbeat Gala will center on the themes of Innovation and Discovery, raising funds to establish a Valve Science Center at MHIF. This inspiring evening will feature a keynote by Captains Scott and Mark Kelly, former U.S. Navy fighter pilots and NASA astronauts, twin brothers and subjects of the groundbreaking Twins Study.

As a physical therapist, Janell Weber has always been health-minded. So after she

was first diagnosed with a heart murmur in the 1980s, she diligently monitored her heart health – getting testing every four years, and then every two. She knew that she would eventually need surgery for her severe aortic stenosis, so when she reached her late 70s, she decided to go ahead with the procedure, despite not having any severe symptoms. Janell lived alone, and she didn’t want to worry about passing out, falling or worse.

She worked to physically prepare herself for surgery, getting in the best shape possible. When she was presented with the option of participating in a study at MHIF, she eagerly agreed. “Before he died, my husband was in the medical research business, and I knew the importance of research,” Janell said. “I wanted to participate for the common good.”

Janell’s surgery went well, and she soon resumed her normal life. She credits cardiac rehab for helping her to regain her strength and endurance. She knew that her health was returning in full when she was able to lift the turkey on Thanksgiving!

Janell credits a positive attitude and complete trust in her cardiologist and the MHIF research team for making her surgery and recovery as smooth as possible.

EVENTS

STORIES OF IMPACT

FROM THE HEART:

A Look Inside MHIF

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART

for your heart and healthGET MORESLEEP

Keep up with the interns at mplsheart.org/blog. Read more news at mplsheart.org/gala.Read more news at mplsheart.org/news.

NEWSNEWSNEWS

Fish: Contains vitamin B6, which helps the body make melatonin.

Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a good source of B6.

Bananas: Rich in B6 and potassium, an effective combination for sleep.

Yogurt: Calcium has been found to increase the quality of sleep.

Tart cherry juice: Studies show benefits for people with insomnia.

Whole grains: Contains magnesium, which promotes longer sleep.

Fortified cereals: Another good source of B6 and a great bedtime snack.

Almonds: Contain magnesium for muscle relaxation and better sleep.

Decaf tea: For maximum benefit, try chamomile or decaf green tea.

Hard-boiled eggs: Eating protein before bed could help you sleep longer.

To learn more about the Founders, visit mplsheart.org/founders.