Kentucky Heart Foundation

The Kentucky Heart Foundation (khf) was founded in may 2007. The khf is a nonprofit organization that works with other healthcare providers to address Heart and vascular disease in this region. In conjunction with these other providers the khf works on the following:- improving the quality of life in the tri-state community and surrounding appalachian region- reducing the devastating impact of cardiovascular disease- advancing medical science through integrated, innovative and progressive programs in research, education, prevention, early detection, and improved patient care- creating access to cutting-edge technology - developing a forum for research that will benefit patients throughout the nationkhf's vision is to improve the quality of life by reducing the devastating impact of cardiovascular disease. Our mission is to reduce the impact of Heart and vascular disease through research, prevention and education. Priorities include: research, education, prevention, finance, and culture.the khf serves appalachian counties covering parts of eastern Kentucky, southeastern Ohio and western west Virginia. These counties are some of the most impoverished in the area. Also known as the coronary valley, the area got this name because of the high mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and the poor health habits of its residents. Heart disease is the number one killer of adults, with mortality rates very high compared to state and national data. Residents of the area have low academic achievement; high smoking rates; lack of physical exercise; and one of the highest obesity rates in the nation. All combined, it is no wonder that cardiovascular disease is the number one health threat for adults in the area. With a focus on improving the cardiovascular outcomes for the area's residents, the khf works to bring the latest device and drug therapies to the area. Partnering with progressive cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and interventional radiologists at king's daughters provides the khf the opportunity to answer important clinical research questions in order to improve care for our patients for now and generations to come.the khf works with device and drug manufacturers to bring new research programs to the region. Khf is currently focused on research to improve the assessment, prevention, and treatment of acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, dual antiplatelet therapy, atrial fibrillation, Heart failure, stroke and vascular disease, childhood and adult obesity, and lung health.the khf has three primary program-related focused areas: research, education, and prevention. 1) research: during fy2022, the khf continued to focus on research following up to 25 patients in active clinical trials, including:-in.pact av access study: randomized study of in.pact av access paclitaxel-coated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (pta) balloon vs. standard pta for the treatment of obstructive lesions in the native arteriovenous dialysis fistulae (avf)- ranger ii sfa: a 3:1 randomized trial comparing the boston scientific ranger paclitaxel coated balloon vs. standard balloon angioplasty for the treatment of superficial femoral arteries (sfa) and proximal popliteal arteries (ppa).-wave: prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study comparing the merit wrapsody endovascular stent graft to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of venous outflow circuit stenosis or occlusion in hemodialysis patients.the Foundation continually looks for trials and studies that will be of benefit to our patients and our physicians. 2) education: the khf offers both healthcare provider and community education as part of its scope of work. During fy2022, the khf hosted:- continuing medical education: the khf is accredited by the Kentucky medical association to provide continuing medical education, providing educational programming for physicians affiliated with king's daughters medical center. During the year, continuing medical education programs and regular scheduled series were hosted while numerous other disciplines (nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants, etc.) Also took advantage of cme programs.3) prevention: early detection of cardiovascular risk factors and proper treatment are critical to reducing the devastating impact of cardiovascular disease. To aid in early detection, the khf worked with king's daughters medical center's (kdmc) community services and access departments to offer free healthy Heart screenings, low cost Heart and vascular screenings and low cost blood profiles throughout the region. This outreach effort helped community members understand their personal risks of Heart disease and provided low-cost, easy access to regular blood work to monitor blood sugar, cholesterol and other key metabolic measures. During 2022, the khf also collaborated with healthy choices, healthy communities coalition to work on improving the health of the community. Healthy choices, healthy communities was created in 2015 by kdmc, our lady of bellefonte hospital (olbh) and other community organizations. The organizations involved all knew that to make an impact and improve community health, everyone had to come together and utilize existing resources. The coalition has a mission and vision, along with a logo and facebook page. The past few years have had many challenges with the covid pandemic restricting in-person meetings. Even with these obstacles, the coalition was able to hold in-person and virtual meetings and also hosted a large event called the bridges out of addiction symposium, which was held virtually and well attended. King's daughters takes an active lead in the facilitation of the full coalition and the subgroups. Healthy choices, healthy communities meetings and events fy2022:healthy choices, health communities meetings: four full coalition membership meetings; bridges out of addiction symposium with over 100 attending; subgroup meetings included substance use disorder workgroups, access to care and socioeconomic challenges. - kdmc and the local health departments continued to work with healthy choices, healthy communities coalition on the community health needs assessment and implementation plan in fy2022.