Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health
We’re working to determine the optimal approach to preventing heart and vascular disease, not just for our patients, but for patients around the world.
A World Without Heart and Vascular Disease
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., which is why MHIF is committed to helping prevent heart disease before it happens. A healthy lifestyle can significantly decrease your risk for heart disease by up to 80 percent. But there is still much more we can learn about the best ways to identify people at risk and prevent even more heart and vascular disease. MHIF researchers are using data to develop innovative risk assessment tools and find ways to better manage and reduce risk factors that make it easier for people to prevent and treat heart disease.
As a result of our research expertise across all cardiovascular subspecialties, our multiple locations across the region, our global reach and our access to big data, MHIF is poised to address heart health in a way it has not been done before.
The Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health is dedicated to cardiovascular prevention research. MHIF has a long history of groundbreaking research and education across a wide spectrum of prevention-related topics, including cardiovascular risk prediction using coronary artery calcium testing, the impact of blood pressure and cholesterol guidelines, the optimal use of statin therapy, and the impact of nutrition and and other healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Miedema, the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health’s vision is “to change the paradigm from disease to optimal health as a world-class leader in cardiovascular disease prevention.” The center is focusing research in two areas — cardiovascular risk prediction and optimal preventive therapies. Patient and provider education in cardiovascular prevention is the other core element of the center.
Cardiovascular Risk Prediction
One of the ultimate goals of cardiovascular prevention is to develop a “crystal ball” for CVD risk prediction. Knowing which patients to aggressively treat creates an opportunity to avoid the tragic heart attack or the unwanted bypass surgery.
MHIF is pursuing research in areas such as Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scoring, genetic testing for cardiovascular risk, and the best ways to treat genetically elevated cholesterolpolygenic (Familial Hypercholesterolemia).
Optimal Preventive Therapies
Even with significant improvement in cardiovascular risk prediction, progress in cardiovascular prevention cannot be made unless effective treatments are available.
MHIF is pursuing a broad range of studies evaluating treatments targeting multiple risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, lipids, smoking, nutrition and obesity.
Recognizing that 80 percent of health care happens outside the clinic walls, the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health is committed to research, education and consulting to help communities become healthier and more supportive.
Heart of New Ulm Project
Our 10-year, award-winning population health research project, Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project, demonstrated improved cardiovascular risk across the entire rural community of New Ulm, Minn. Through our Rural Health Transformation Center, we’re now helping other communities simply and accelerate their health improvement initiatives.
Learn more about our Rural Health Transformation Center offerings.
Mental Health
One-third of all cardiovascular outcomes are related to mental health, whether it’s social isolation, anger, depression, anxiety, etc. Depression rates are three times higher in patients with heart disease. Recognizing the critical role that mental health plays in cardiovascular health, MHIF research and education teams will be examining ways to address this in a holistic way with patient populations.
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. How can you prevent heart disease? Watch the video to learn more.
Patients and Families
There are certain risk factors for heart disease that you cannot change, such as your age and gender. However, you can improve other risk factors, such as how well you manage your blood pressure and cholesterol and whether you use tobacco. Ask your primary care provider to calculate your risk for heart disease and talk with them about lifestyle changes and/or medications that can help you prevent heart disease.
Prevention for Professionals
MHIF established the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health to provide a diverse approach to cardiovascular disease prevention across three pillars: 1) research, 2) education and 3) leadership. Access our professional resources below to help people everywhere get the best care for their heart.
Featured Highlights
News & Events
Prevention
Take a proactive strategy to managing your mental health
Did you know that one-third of all cardiovascular outcomes are related to mental health, whether...
News & Events
Dr. Miedema Takes Part in New Research to Help Doctors Better Identify Patients Who Should Take Aspirin
Dr. Michael Miedema, director of cardiovascular prevention at MHIF, took part in new research that helps doctors better identify the patients who should be taking aspirin.
News & Events
New research shows only six in 10 patients eligible for a statin are prescribed one
According to recently published findings in Clinical Cardiology by Allina Health and Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation® (MHIF) researchers, more than four years after the initial release of the guidelines, approximately four in 10 patients for whom a statin would be appropriate were still not being prescribed the medication.
News
MHIF Team Publishes New Paper in Population Health Management
As part of our work to help other communities implement the most effective interventions for improving population health, MHIF’s Population Health Team has published its latest paper, “Population-Level Reach of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Interventions in a Rural Community: Findings from The Heart of New Ulm Project” in the February 2020 issue of Population Health Management.
Meet Our Team
Michael Miedema, MD, MPH
Director, Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health
Dr. Michael Miedema is director of the Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health at Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and director of cardiovascular prevention at Minneapolis Heart Institute®. Dr. Miedema obtained his medical degree and completed a cardiovascular fellowship at the the University of Minnesota Medical School and also has a master’s degree in public health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He is a leading national expert in cardiovascular prevention. He serves as an Associate Editor for the digital content for the Prevention Section of the American College of Cardiology. He served on the executive review committee for the 2018 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines, and was a member of the 2019 ACC/AHA Guidelines Committee for the Primary Prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Thomas Knickelbine, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSCCT
Director, Lipid Research
Dr. Thomas Knickelbine is director of lipid research at Minneapolis Heart Institute®, where he has actively practiced cardiology since 1996. He is co-director of HeartScan Minnesota®, which he founded in 1999 and helped pioneer the initial calcium scoring program in the state of Minnesota. He has published multiple abstracts, presentations and papers surrounding the need for early detection and optimal treatment of coronary artery plaque. Dr. Knickelbine is board certified in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular CT and has Level III training in cardiac and peripheral CT. His special interests include preventive cardiology and lipid management, coronary calcium scoring, echocardiography, diagnostic imaging, and coronary angiography.
Courtney Baechler, MD, MS
Medical Director, Emerging Science Centers
Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler serves as medical director for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s emerging science centers including prevention, women’s cardiovascular research and global outreach. Dr. Jordan Baechler obtained her medical degree and completed a cardiovascular fellowship at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She also completed the National Institute of Health Physician Scientist Track where she obtained a masters in epidemiology and public policy from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Prior to this role she served as Assistant Commissioner for Health Improvement for the State of Minnesota and Vice President of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at Allina Health. She has served on the national prevention committee for the American College of Cardiology and currently serves on the MN Department of Health Statewide Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Committee.
Susan White, RDN
Clinical Program Lead for Cardiovascular Health
Susan White is a registered dietitian nutritionist and serves as the administrative and program lead for prevention and women’s heart health at the Minneapolis Heart Institute®. She is adept at simplifying complex nutrition messages found in the news or research into practical tips for improving heart health and frequently gives community presentations.
Gretchen Benson, RDN, CDCES
Program Director, Nolan Family Center for Cardiovascular Health
Gretchen Benson oversees the center’s operational strategy including investigator-initiated research studies, professional and community education and marketing/communications. As a dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist, she has research interests in nutrition, behaviors and population health. She currently serves on the American Diabetes Association’s professional practice committee tasked with updating the Standards of Care in Diabetes, as well as the MN Department of Health Statewide Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Committee.
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