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On Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation hosted an event to raise awareness about heart valve disease (HVD) at the Lafayette Club in Minnetonka Beach, MN. Nearly 100 community members and patients came together to learn from experts at the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, including Drs. Paul Sorajja, Nadira Hamid, and Sebastian Iturra. We were grateful to be joined by patient Gloria Cullen who shared her journey of navigating heart valve disease and participating in a clinical research trial.
As many as 5 million Americans are diagnosed with HVD each year—a potentially disabling and deadly disease—yet 3 out of 4 Americans know little to nothing about it. The seriousness of the disease, combined with the fact that symptoms are often difficult to detect or dismissed as a normal part of aging, makes this lack of awareness dangerous.
Key takeaways from the event:
- Unlike cancer, valve disease doesn't receive as much attention, despite being a significant health crisis, and early detection and treatment can significantly improve survival and quality of life.
- Innovative treatments like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and minimally invasive surgeries are transforming how heart valve disease is managed.
- The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is a leader in heart valve research, pioneering new therapies and training future medical professionals. Patient stories, like Gloria’s, illustrate how clinical trials and cutting-edge interventions can improve and extend lives.
We do this event each year because we are very passionate about what we do. Patients who have valve disease deserve to be treated. Valve procedures are truly life-saving.
Paul Sorajja, MD
The event was supported with grants and exhibits from Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic. We’re honored to host this annual event, fostering learning, collaboration, and community spirit while providing valuable insights into HVD and how to manage it effectively.
View the event recording and find more resources about heart valve disease and research.
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