All About the Midwest Heart Foundation

This month we highlight the efforts of the Midwest Heart Foundation, a non-profit organization headquartered in Illinois that also organizes an innovative cardiac screening program. Tell us about the creation of the Midwest Heart Foundation. When was it formed, and why? Midwest Heart Foundation (MHF) was established in 1988 as a non-profit research and education foundation dedicated to improving the prevention and management of cardiovascular and related diseases through research, education and community leadership. MHF augments the efforts of the American Heart Association, which brings national attention to heart disease by making things happen at the community level such as building relationships and delivering programs. Our research has been instrumental in providing patients access to some of the most progressive treatments and prevention strategies in cardiology. Our education programs help area physicians, allied healthcare professionals, and other community-at-large members stay informed about the latest prevention strategies, diagnostic techniques, and treatment options for cardiovascular and related diseases. What clinical research is the Midwest Heart Foundation currently involved in? How many ongoing trials are there? MHF has conducted over 300 clinical trials, which have resulted in 200 publications and abstracts. The Foundation has been involved in major national and worldwide trials in all areas of cardiology research, including gene therapy, heart failure, electrophysiology, acute coronary syndromes, acute myocardial infarction interventions, prevention, lipidology, and diabetes. Research is currently conducted on an inpatient and outpatient basis at six locations in DuPage, McHenry and Winnebago Counties. Currently, MHF is enrolling patients in 15 clinical studies focusing on heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and hypertension. Tell us about the educational CME programs provided to physicians and allied health professionals. When will the next one take place? What topics are generally offered? The Foundation educates more than 3,200 physicians and allied health care providers each year on a wide variety of cardiovascular and related topics. MHF sponsors 8 to 10 major educational symposia and approximately 200 community lectures annually. The Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. The following CME symposia have been scheduled for 2008: Comprehensive Cardiometabolic Risk-Reduction Program; Stroke 2008; Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young Adults: Awareness, Detection, Prevention; Sex and the Heart; 2008 Cardiology Update. What types of cardiac screening programs are offered for the community? How often are these screening events offered? Midwest Heart Foundation is committed to improving the health of the community. The Foundation’s goal is to increase community awareness and knowledge on cardiovascular topics. The Foundation participates in community health fairs throughout the year providing blood pressure screening and heart health information. MHF also sponsors an annual Heart for Life 5K Run/Walk for people of all ages and fitness levels; this is a free community event that promotes cardiovascular health and fitness. The Young Hearts For Life™ (YH4L) Cardiac Screening is a free EKG screening program developed by MHF to identify high school students at risk for sudden cardiac death. The screening involves a simple three-minute EKG administered at area high schools during the regular academic year. The program was first implemented in January 2006, and to date has screened close to 19,000 students. Young Hearts for Life™ is the largest screening program of its kind in the U.S. MHF works in collaboration with high school administrators and staff, parent organizations and local hospitals to plan and deliver the Young Hearts For Life EKG screening program. Cardiologists volunteer their time to read the EKGs. Approximately 2% of students screened through the program have had abnormal EKGs. Why was it important to offer this screening program? In the United States, it is estimated that sudden cardiac death claims the lives of 30 young adults each week — usually during intense physical activity. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of sudden death in young adults, comprising at least one-third of such cases. HCM is a genetic heart abnormality present in approximately one in 500 people. This condition causes an excessive thickening of the left ventricle of the heart, which can trigger fatal heart-rhythm disturbances, particularly during vigorous physical exercise. This condition can be effectively managed, if diagnosed in time. HCM is not generally detected through a routine school or athletic physical; however, an EKG can detect certain impulse patterns or “markers” associated with HCM that a stethoscope cannot. An EKG can also detect other potentially dangerous cardiac anomalies such as long QT syndrome, ARVC and Brugada syndrome. While the testing process is simple and inexpensive, the United States lags behind its European counterparts in the area of cardiac screening. A rigorous scientific study1 based on 25 years of data in Italy showed that after competitive athletes were required to have a pre-participation EKG, deaths related to HCM dropped from 34% to approximately 2%. The European Society of Cardiology called for all European countries to follow Italy’s example, mandating EKG testing of athletes every two years, starting at age 12 or 14. The International Olympic Committee now urges all athletes under the age of 35 to be similarly screened. Do you work closely with any other cardiac foundations or organizations? Yes, MHF collaborates with major medical centers, hospitals and professional colleagues in offering some of our CME programs for physicians and allied health care professionals. How can patients and staff participate and sign up for MHF’s community and education programs? Information on community and professional education programs, Young Hearts for Life™ Cardiac Screening Program and other Foundation-sponsored community events can be found on the Midwest Heart Foundation website. Provide an example of a memorable patient screening result or research goal. As a result of the Midwest Heart Foundation’s YH4L screening program, over 370 families have been notified of abnormalities that have needed further evaluation and testing. Several have received treatment. Without YH4L, these students’ parents would not have had the information they needed to make proactive decisions about their children’s health and welfare. Conditions that have been detected after further evaluation include HCM, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, atrial septal defect and atrial fibrillation. These are significant cardiac conditions that, having been detected, can favorably impact the lives of these young adults. What advancements in electrophysiology look most promising? Advancements that look promising include remote catheter navigation with either robotic assistance or magnetically driven systems. Non-fluoroscopic imaging technology continues to improve catheter ablation procedures. Devices with hemodynamic monitoring capability offer great potential for long-term disease management. With regards to the topic of this article, research in genetic testing has great hope to answering questions and managing individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death. For more information, please visit: www.midwestheart.org