Faces of Heart Disease

Here at MHIF, we know that the face of heart disease…

Could appear healthy…

Lisa, 45

Last October, Lisa was working alone in her office when she passed out. Fortunately, a friend in a neighboring office heard the fall and called 911 when she found that Lisa had gone into cardiac arrest.

After four days in a coma, Lisa woke to the news that she had ARVD, a rare heart condition that often presents no symptoms prior to a life-threatening event. Thanks to the Genetic Arrhythmia Center at MHIF, Lisa had access to the most advanced research and information on ARVD. She was treated with a defibrillator that monitors her heart rhythm and keeps it beating regularly.

One year later, Lisa returned to the hospital, but this time, it was as a volunteer in the cardiac rehab unit.

May not be who you expect…

Sarah, 33

Cardiovascular disease is not always predictable. Such was the case when Sarah – a physically fit nurse and mother of two teenage children – arrived at the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Emergency Room after collapsing in her own backyard. When the paramedics arrived, Sarah was in cardiac arrest and not breathing. They revived her and rushed her to the hospital.

Completing a CT scan upon admission, physicians quickly diagnosed Sarah with a coronary artery dissection. She was quickly transferred to a cath lab where her body temperature was lowered as an

emergency angioplasty was performed. The immediate application of therapeutic cooling prevented irreversible brain damage.

After just two and a half months, Sarah is back working full time as a nurse and enjoying quality time with her children. “How blessed I feel to live in a community where such advanced cardiovascular practices are available."

Will be treated in new, innovative ways…

Mike, 62

Mike and his wife Pamela had just gotten home from the grocery store when he began to feel pain in his shoulder. He insisted that he was fine, but minutes later, he went into cardiac arrest.

Mike was treated through Level One, a program that has dramatically reduced the time it takes for heart attack patients to receive care. As part of the protocol, Mike’s body temperature was lowered, a practice that helps to preserve brain function when the heart is stopped. After Mike was stabilized, he enrolled in a stem cell therapy study to aid in his recovery.

Throughout his treatment, Mike benefited from three therapies that were researched and developed at MHIF. “I feel fortunate to have received such advanced care,” said Mike. “I wouldn’t be here today without it.

Is female, 51% of the time…

Kim, 45

A competitive college swimmer and physically active mother of four, Kim at age 36 knew something was wrong when she experienced long-lasting flu-like symptoms and felt winded after climbing a flight of stairs. She went for a stress test and was told that her negative results were probably anxiety driven. Given her elevated cholesterol levels and state of distress, Kim’s husband insisted on calling a cardiologist who diagnosed that Kim was indeed suffering a heart attack.

After her recovery, Kim found it difficult to find support from other young women who shared her experience. She felt alone and unprepared to deal both mentally and emotionally with her heart

disease. Six years later, she had another severe cardiac arrest, after which she joined the Women’s Support Group – a pilot program offered by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. This care group provided the support she had been seeking, as well as education from experienced cardiologists.

Today, Kim is enjoying her active life and has become an activist for educating others about the unique heart disease risks and symptoms associated with women.

Can be a role model…

Shelly, 68

Shelly recently retired after teaching Spanish at a local university for 36 years, but she’s not slowing down. As her mother’s primary caretaker, a court advocate for children and a volunteer tax advisor for low-income families, Shelly found it difficult to make time for physical activity.

Three years ago, Shelly joined Women on the Move, which turned out to be the perfect solution. Participating in the program gave her an opportunity to make new friends with common fitness goals and motivated her to stick with her routine. This year, Shelly achieved another goal by competing in her first race.

“We celebrated by going out for ice cream,” said Shelly. “As we learned in the program, everything in moderation!”