March 2010 - Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

Heart MattersMarch 2010Vibhu R. Kshettry, MD at the Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bangalore, India. Photo credits: Monica RobbSaving Lives through International Outreach and EducationWhen Million Bire approached Minneapolis Heart Institute®cardio-thoracic surgeon, Vibhu R. Kshettry, MD, he knewthat it might be the last chance at normal life for his brotherliving in Ethiopia.Bire’s brother suffered from a debilitating heart condition thatcould not be treated in Ethiopia due to a lack of appropriatefacilities and funding.In a letter he wrote, “Dr. Kshettry was very understanding andwilling to help me in any way possible.” Kshettry arranged fortravel visas to India for Bire, his brother, and his sister whorequired eye surgery.In November, Bire’s brother became one of 29 patientsaged 13 to 27 from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India and Nepalwho were given a second chance at life through Kshettry’sInternational Cardiac Outreach Research and Education(ICORE) program at MHIF.Through the program, Kshettry and Dale Anderson, aperfusionist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital (a specialistwho operates the heart-lung machine during heart surgery),traveled to the Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bangalore,India to not only perform the surgeries, but to educate thephysicians and other medical staff on the latest in cardiac care.At MHIF’s 2009 Spirit of the Heart Gala, Irene Graham andMonica Robb had the winning auction bid on the opportunityto join Kshettry on the trip. Robb took more than 2,500pictures on the trip, a few of which are featured here.Robb said, “The magnitude of need could have feltdisheartening but on the other hand, it was motivating tosee the work the team accomplished. Dr. Kshettry and hisICORE program help one patient at a time, but the rippleeffect is farther reaching on many levels. “In a letter written to Dr. Kshettry after the surgery, Birewrote, “I and my family want to say thank you for everythingyou have done for us. You gave both my sister and brothera second chance to live a normal life. We appreciate and areinspired by what you are doing for others.”The ICORE program was initially funded by a gift from agrateful patient and through donations of medical equipmentfrom pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Itsoperations continue through the support of the community.Offering Support and Encouragement to Women with Heart DiseaseThe Women’s Only Cardiac Support Group at theMinneapolis Heart Institute® gives women with heart diseasea place to discuss experiences and strategies for heart healthyliving.This weekly program is designed especially for women toprovide support, encouragement, camaraderie and helpfulinformation about improving lifestyle habits and heart health.All women with heart disease are welcome to attend anyor all of the sessions. There is no cost to participate andcomplimentary parking is provided. Sessions are held at theMinneapolis Heart Institute®, 920 E. 28th St., Minneapolis,MN.For more information, please call Denise Windenburg at 612-863-3816.

Physician’s CornerMHIF congratulatesMinneapolis Heart Institute®cardiologist, Elizabeth ZaneGrey, MD. Grey was recentlyvoted a 2010 Top Doctorfor Women by MinnesotaMonthly magazine.Grey specializes inwomen’s heart health andechocardiography and is cochairof the upcoming summitWomen and Heart Disease: A Summit to Eliminate UntimelyDeaths in Women.MHIF Welcomes New ResearchersMHIF extends a warm welcome to the following newMinneapolis Heart Institute® physicians:Electrophysiology/Heart Rhythm ManagementRaed Husam Abdelhadi, MDNada B. Memon, MDVascular/Endovascular SurgeryJason Alexander, MDAndrew Cragg, MDCongestive Heart Failure/Transplant SurgeryBarry Cabuay, MDDavid S. Feldman, MDNader Moazami, MDPreventing Heart Disease throughAwareness and Education: In Touchwith Heart HealthBeing aware of your risk factors for heart disease is important.Knowing how to address your personal risk factors isempowering.At 42 years old, Michele* was overweight and felt that she“was doing [her]self a disservice.” She knew intuitively thatshe was not taking care of herself and wanted to know hownot eating well and avoiding exercise were affecting her overallhealth.In 2008, Michele attended MHIF’s annual In Touch withHeart Health community screening. At the screenings,participants fill out a lifestyle questionnaire and havecholesterol, blood pressure and glucose tests all with the goalof finding out individual risk profiles. After the screenings, aneducational component provides participants with the toolsthey need to address their risk.At the screenings, Michelelearned not only that herbody mass index was toohigh, but she also had lowlevels of HDL cholesterol(the good cholesterol thatappears to protect againstheart disease). “I couldhave gone my whole lifewithout knowing thedamage I was doing to mybody. I do not want to dieof a heart attack at 50,” shesaid.Armed with her risk information, Michele listened intentlyto the educational component of the program. “I learned thatmy saturated fat intake was really affecting my HDL levels.I learned so much about diet and exercise and how the heartworks. This program had a huge impact on me.”In February, Michele attended her third In Touch screening.All of her numbers, including her HDL cholesterol were athealthy levels, and she had lost 32 pounds. Michele attributesher healthy lifestyle changes to the In Touch screenings. “Notonly was I given my numbers, but I was given specific adviceon how to make changes.”This year, Michele scored an eight out of a possible ten onher In Touch lifestyle score, which aggregates lifestyle factors.“My goal next year is to score a ten out of ten. What is greatis that the screenings have given me the tools to know exactlyhow to make that happen,” she said.*Last name omitted for privacy

Important Initiative to Address GenderDisparities in Cardiovascular HealthWhy is heart disease the leading cause of death in women?Why are more women dying than men each year of heartdisease? Why are women less likely than men to receiveappropriate treatment for a heart attack?Experts from across the country will gather for agroundbreaking summit in Minneapolis on April 29th toanswer these questions and more.Sponsored by the Minneapolis Heart Institute® and MHIF,the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, the twodaysummit entitled Women and Heart Disease: A Summit toEliminate the Untimely Deaths in Women will address currentgender disparities in cardiovascular care. Most importantly,the summit will conclude with a call to action to find the nextbold actions needed to protect the health of women with heartdisease.The following are invited to attend: cardiac care providers,primary care, emergency medicine and women’s healthproviders, stake-holders in the design and delivery of women’sheart health and interested others.Summit registration is $150. For more information or toregister, visit www.mplsheart.org/women.Did you know?Evidence suggests a relationship between heartdisease and stress. Stress hormones weaken theimmune system, increase blood pressure and increase thenumber of blood platelets which can clog arteries. Can you takesteps today to decrease stress in your life?2009 Women on the Move program participants at Boston Scientific’s Heartof Summer 5k RaceWomen on the Move:Giving Women Motivation andSupport to Stay Physically ActiveOne of the primary goals of the women’s summit is toprovide women with the tools they need to be aware of andaddress their own cardiovascular risk factors.Women’s heart health awareness is a particularly importantissue in minority communities where less than half ofAfrican American, Hispanic, and Asian women are awarethat heart disease is the number one killer of women.Paired with the fact that minority women are at a higherrisk for the disease, this underscores the importance ofraising awareness in these communities.In 2010, MHIF’s highly successful Women on the Moveprogram will reach out to minority communities in theNear North, Powderhorn and Nokomis neighborhoodsof Minneapolis to provide cardiovascular risk screening(cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and BMI)and educational and physical activity sessions to helpparticipants develop and maintain healthier lifestyles. Theprogram follows a cohort model, which gives participantsa network of support and encouragement to continuehealthy behaviors after the end of the eight-week program.For more information on participating in the 2010 Womenon the Move program, visit http://www.mplsheart.org.

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE920 East 28th Street, Suite 100Minneapolis, MN 55407PAIDMINNEAPOLIS, MNPERMIT NO. 3298The Face of Heart DiseaseName: MattAge: 29Condition: HypertrophicCardiomyopathy (HCM)Status: Looking forward to hisupcoming wedding. Spreadingawareness of HCM, the leadingcause of sudden death in youngpeople.Subscription InformationStay up-to-date with the latest heart healthy news. For asubscription to Heart Matters, or for information on making afinancial contribution, contact Meghan Bethke at 612-863-5410or mbethke@mhif.org.Apricot-Lemon Chicken1 tsp curry powder½ tsp salt¼ tsp black pepper4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halvesCooking spray1/3 cup apricot spread2 tbsp fresh lemon juice2 tbsp water2 tsp grated lemon rindCombine first 3 ingredients; rub mixture over chicken. Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Cookchicken 6 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken from pan, and keep warm. Add apricot spread, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons waterto pan, stirring until smooth. Cook over medium heat 1 minute. Spoon sauce over chicken; sprinkle with lemon rind.Nutrition information: 245 calories, 2 g fat, 39.4 g protein, 14.5 g carbohydrates, 0.3 g dietary fiberUpcoming EventsWomen and Heart Disease: A Summit to Eliminate UntimelyDeaths in WomenApril 29-30, at the Marquette Hotel Minneapolis. For moreinformation or to register, visit www.mplsheart.org/women.Contact Eva Kovacs at ekovacs@mhif.org or 612-863-1657.To Her Health! 3nd Annual Wine DinnerThursday, June 10 at Spasso Restaurant and Wine Bar inMinnetonka. A wine dinner to benefit women’s heart healthresearch and education. Contact Toni Knorr at tknorr@mhif.orgor 612-863-3844. Register online at http://toherhealth.eventbrite.com.29th Annual Golf ClassicJune 21 at Olympic Hills Golf Club in Eden Prairie. Contact ToniKnorr at tknorr@mhif.org or 612-863-3844. Register online athttp://mplsheartgolfclassic.eventbrite.comWomen’s Only Cardiac Support Group6:30-8:00 p.m. Mondays in the Minneapolis Heart Institute® lobby.Weekly program for women to provide support, encouragementand helpful information on improving heart health. Everyone iswelcome and parking is validated. Contact Denise Windenburg atdenise.c.windenburg@allina.com or 612-863-3816.