American Heart Association Awards Loyola with Nearly $195,000 for Cardiac Research

MAYWOOD, Ill. -- The American Heart Association has awarded the Cardiovascular Institute of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine $194,772 for cardiac research this year, bringing the lifetime total awarded to Loyola to $10.1 million. During an Aug. 31 ceremony, AHA Board Chairman William Roach Jr., Esq. presented a symbolic check to David Wilber, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Institute and Richard Kennedy, PhD, vice provost for Research and Graduate Programs.

"For years, the American Heart Association has been one of the biggest supporters of leading-edge cardiac research at Loyola," Wilber said.

"Both our researchers and our patients greatly appreciate the association's funding of studies that are helping to improve survival and reduce disability from heart disease and stroke."

Jeff Malehorn, chairman of the American Heart Association's Metro Chicago board of directors, said the association has been a proud supporter of Loyola's researchers for more than 35 years.

"The funding of vital research studies is a key component of the American Heart Association's mission to build lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke," Malehorn said. "We are pleased to present this check to the researchers at Loyola University who are helping us achieve that goal." Loyola researchers are conducting a broad spectrum of cardiac research, from the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside.

Here are a few examples of Loyola studies the American Heart Association has funded:

• A study of anxiety problems experienced by patients who have implanted defibrillators.
• An investigation of how heart cells change during heart failure and how these changes may lead to arrhythmia (irregular heart beat).
• A project to improve heart transplant outcomes by prolonging the period during which a donor heart can be stored at low temperature without blood supply.
• Research aimed at understanding how muscle protein structure affects heart function and how certain proteins are able to protect the heart from injury.
• Studies on brain changes that occur following a heart attack, including depression and anxiety. Loyola University Health System's Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine offers comprehensive heart and vascular care with nationally known experts and programs in cardiovascular, thoracic and transplantation services. Loyola provides complete heart and vascular care, ranging from teaching heart-healthy lifestyles to pioneering the latest technology. For nine years in a row, U.S. News and World Report has named Loyola as one of the top 50 hospitals nationwide for cardiology and heart surgery. Loyola is in the top 20 in this year’s rankings.