ACC: Large prevention project cuts heart attacks by one-fourth
NEW ORLEANS--A project in Minnesota that seeks to change lifestyle behavior to prevent coronary heart disease has seen a 24 percent reduction in heart attacks in just a few quarters, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting.
"Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project is unique in that a healthcare system is supporting a community-driven project that encourages a large population to embrace lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and improved nutrition that could improve long-term heart health, with the assistance of local employers and healthcare technology," said co-author Jackie Boucher, MS, vice president of education at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, who presented the study.
Led by Jeffrey J. VanWormer, MS, researchers conducted a quality improvement analysis to quantify the absolute number of unique acute MI (AMI) events (both incident and recurrent) over 10 quarterly periods between January 2008 and June 2010.
The first five quarters represented the period before active interventions began and the last five quarters represented the period since active interventions began. The population included all the adult residents (approximately 10,000) of the 56073 zip code (New Ulm, Minn.).
Researchers recorded both fatal and non-fatal acute heart events via an electronic surveillance system.
"One unique aspect of this population is that more than 92 percent have their data in an electronic health record, which serves as a helpful surveillance database," Boucher said.
Through the electronic health records, the healthcare professionals were able to identify high-risk individuals for cardiovascular disease, such as those with pre-diabetes, diabetes, high body mass index or a family history, and recommend the appropriate exercise programs, nutrition plans and medical strategies.
In addition to the 24 percent reduction in AMIs, there were no fatal MIs in three of the last five quarters; but there were fatal AMI events in each of the first five quarters. Total AMIs were 62 in the pre-intervention quarters vs. 47 in intervention quarters.
The community has played a large part in the ongoing project by embracing the project. In random telephone surveys, 94 percent of respondents reported they believe the Heart of New Ulm Project will be successful in achieving its mission to reduce heart attacks, Boucher said.
"The community is engaged at every level, from schools to worksites to lay health leaders to the providers within the health care system, which has been a huge contributor to the project success," she said.
The first health screenings took place from April to November of 2009 and almost 5,200 people took part. The goal is to have at least 60 percent of the people who got screened in 2009 to do so again in 2011.
The multi-year initiative is a collaboration between the Center for Healthcare Innovation at Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and the New Ulm Medical Center.
It is funded by Allina Hospitals & Clinics, which is a non-profit network of healthcare providers based in Minneapolis that serves St. Paul and the Twin Cities area, New Ulm, River Falls and other communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
"Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project is unique in that a healthcare system is supporting a community-driven project that encourages a large population to embrace lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and improved nutrition that could improve long-term heart health, with the assistance of local employers and healthcare technology," said co-author Jackie Boucher, MS, vice president of education at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, who presented the study.
Led by Jeffrey J. VanWormer, MS, researchers conducted a quality improvement analysis to quantify the absolute number of unique acute MI (AMI) events (both incident and recurrent) over 10 quarterly periods between January 2008 and June 2010.
The first five quarters represented the period before active interventions began and the last five quarters represented the period since active interventions began. The population included all the adult residents (approximately 10,000) of the 56073 zip code (New Ulm, Minn.).
Researchers recorded both fatal and non-fatal acute heart events via an electronic surveillance system.
"One unique aspect of this population is that more than 92 percent have their data in an electronic health record, which serves as a helpful surveillance database," Boucher said.
Through the electronic health records, the healthcare professionals were able to identify high-risk individuals for cardiovascular disease, such as those with pre-diabetes, diabetes, high body mass index or a family history, and recommend the appropriate exercise programs, nutrition plans and medical strategies.
In addition to the 24 percent reduction in AMIs, there were no fatal MIs in three of the last five quarters; but there were fatal AMI events in each of the first five quarters. Total AMIs were 62 in the pre-intervention quarters vs. 47 in intervention quarters.
The community has played a large part in the ongoing project by embracing the project. In random telephone surveys, 94 percent of respondents reported they believe the Heart of New Ulm Project will be successful in achieving its mission to reduce heart attacks, Boucher said.
"The community is engaged at every level, from schools to worksites to lay health leaders to the providers within the health care system, which has been a huge contributor to the project success," she said.
The first health screenings took place from April to November of 2009 and almost 5,200 people took part. The goal is to have at least 60 percent of the people who got screened in 2009 to do so again in 2011.
The multi-year initiative is a collaboration between the Center for Healthcare Innovation at Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and the New Ulm Medical Center.
It is funded by Allina Hospitals & Clinics, which is a non-profit network of healthcare providers based in Minneapolis that serves St. Paul and the Twin Cities area, New Ulm, River Falls and other communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.