Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation improves cardiovascular health through education and clinical research. The principal foci of the Foundation's work are: 

 

  • Developing new clinical knowledge about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease; 
  • Translating new knowledge and technology into effective practice; 
  • Educating health professionals about advances in managing cardiovascular health; and, 
  • Educating individuals, families, and communities about promoting health and preventing disease.

 

Contact Information
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
920 East 28th Street
Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Telephone: (612) 863-3833 or (877) 800-2729
HeartLine: (888) 245-6300 or (612) 863-3794.
Fax: 612-863-3801
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: www.mplsheartfoundation.org

About Cardiovascular Disease
The heart is an involuntary muscle and is regarded as the strongest and most important muscle in your body.  The main job of the heart is to supply all organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrient-rich blood.

 

The cardiovascular system is made up of the myocardium (heart muscle), valves (one-way "doors" controlling the blood flow within the heart), the electrical conduction system (which regulates the heart beat), coronary arteries (blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart), veins (blood vessels which carry blood back to the heart) and the pericardium (outer protective layer of the heart).

 

Cardiovascular disease can affect one or more of these areas of the heart. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the coronary arteries. This build-up slows the amount of blood that flows to the heart, which may eventually cause a heart attack.


 

Facts and Figures

  • Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States- and yet it can be counteracted by raising awareness, changing lifestyles, and improving its diagnosis and treatment.
  • The heart is fatigue-resistant, beating more than 100,000 times per day.

 

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

  •  Smoking
  • High blood cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Physical inactivity
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Diabetes
  • Alcohol

 Resources for Individuals and Caretakers
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation offers a wide variety of resources for individuals. Those resources include: 

 

Employee/Individuals Resources

  • Blood pressure screening.
  • Computer risk assessments: 
    - "HeartTest"- questionnaire/report designed to indicate the level of cardiovascular
      disease risk and to suggest ways to decrease modifiable risks. 
  • Newsletter - "In Touch" (3 times per year)


Resources for Employers and Communities
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation offers the following resources for employers and the community at large:

 

Employer Resources

  • Speakers on topics, including:   
    - Cholesterol/diet. 
    - Heart disease risk factors. 
    - Women and heart disease. 
    - Low fat cooking. 
    - Weight management. 
    - Physical activity/fitness. 
    - Hypertension. 
    - Stress management. 
    - Heart attack prevention.
    - Behavior change.
    - Diabetes and Heart Disease. 


 

  • Computerized risk assessments for employees: 
    - "HeartTest" - questionnaire/report designed to indicate the level of cardiovascular
      disease risk and to suggest ways to decrease modifiable risks. 
  • Health screening services: 
    - Blood lipid profile. 
    - Fingerstick cholesterol screening. 
    - Blood pressure screening 
    - Body Mass Index (BMI) - staffed by a registered dietician, this interactive
      educational display assists individuals in finding their BMI while providing
      encouragement and guidance on achieving and maintaining weight.
  • Health fair resources/interactive educational displays: 
    - HeartFair: interactive display designed to educate people about the modifiable risk
       factors associated with the development of heart disease. Includes topic-specific
       educational literature. Staff offers individual counseling and answers questions.
    - Prevent First MI: designed for use in educating higher risk audiences about heart
      attack. 
    - HiTECH Heart: dynamic, interactive heart model for use in sharing the message of
       heart health with fourth grade children at school sites throughout the state.

 

Community Resources

  • Health screening services: 
    - Blood lipid profile. 
    - Fingerstick cholesterol screening.
    - Blood pressure screening. 
  • HeartMatters classes and workshop topics: 
    - Smoking cessation
    - Low fat cooking 
    - Nutrition 
    - Diet/weight management 
    - Exercise 
    - Stress management 
  • Interactive educational displays: 
    - HeartFair : interactive display designed to educate people about the modifiable risk
       factors associated with the development of heart disease. Includes topic-specific
       educational literature. Staff offers individual counseling and answers questions. 
    - Prevent First MI: designed for use in educating higher risk audiences about heart
      attack. 
    - HiTECH Heart: dynamic, interactive heart model for use in sharing the message of
      heart health with fourth grade children at school sites throughout the state.