Leaders of UI Heart and Vascular Center and the American Heart Association (AHA) celebrated a new phase in their longstanding relationship in the fight against heart disease.

The AHA and the UI Heart and Vascular Center announced that the UI Heart and Vascular Center will serve as the Eastern Iowa Regional Sponsor in 2008-2009. The American Heart Association activities in eastern Iowa include Start! Heart Walk events, Go Red for Women luncheons, and efforts to raise awareness and educate women about cardiovascular disease.

“We are especially eager to help increase public awareness about the threat that heart disease poses to women,” said Theresa Brennan, MD, director of Interventional Cardiology. “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women, and we are committed to meeting the unique heart health needs of women.”

The AHA reports that deaths from heart disease have declined 25.8 percent and stroke deaths have been reduced by 24.4 percent since 1999. This means that the AHA’s strategic goal for coronary heart disease has been achieved, and for stroke nearly achieved—ahead of schedule. The goal was to reduce coronary heart disease and stroke deaths by 25 percent by 2010.

That means that 160,000 lives have been saved, resulting in 160,000 fewer families being devastated by the loss of a loved one. Leaders of the American Heart Association say the support of sponsors like the University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center is crucial to continuing that trend.

“We are proud of the progress this country has made against America’s number one and number three killers, but our work is not done,” said Kevin Harker, Executive Vice President of the 11-state Midwest Affiliate. “While we have seen some progress in hypertension, high cholesterol and tobacco use, we still have much work to do on these risk factors—and there has been very little progress in obesity, diabetes and physical inactivity.”

Founded in 1924, the AHA today is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006–07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives.

For more information:

Theresa Brennan, MD

AHA

UI Heart and Vascular Center

View the Go Red for Women video