Heart health continues to be an important topic in our country. News reports detail federal and state governments' fitful efforts to deal with smoking in our society, and to make tobacco companies at least partially responsible for the morbidity and mortality which their products cause. Despite our increased awareness of tobacco marketing strategies, smoking among young people continues to increase. We are aware of deplorable gaps in access to health care and to good health information, gaps which have a striking impact on the health of minorities and the economically disadvantaged. We also hear about important advances in cardiac care, including new laser technologies to treat coronary artery disease; new generations of stents to keep coronary arteries open following angioplasty; the widening use of lipid-lowering drugs to reduce the incidence of cardiac disease in patients with high cholesterol; and minimally-invasive heart surgeries which avoid many of the complications associated with such surgeries in the past.
At the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, we are involved in all of these areas and more. As you will see in this report, our Education Services Department continues to be a leader in this community in promoting cardiovascular wellness, carrying important information to communities across Minnesota.
We are particularly proud of our continuing work with elementary school children, as we offer them the opportunity to avoid unhealthy behaviors which lead to cardiovascular disease later in life. Our pioneering research efforts lead us into collaboration with a wide range of partners, and focus on improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The physicians of the Minneapolis Heart Institute remain committed to a broad range of research interests. Their reputation across the country continues to provide the Foundation with unparalleled opportunities to participate in important clinical research studies.
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. We are pleased to count you as a partner in our ongoing service to the community.
Ford W. Bell, D.V.M.
President
Please read the following articles:
Education That Makes A Difference
Advancement in Cardiovascular Research
