A comprehensive approach

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The goal of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute is to provide optimal cardiovascular health. Our clinical and research members are dedicated to working together to make this goal a reality. Here is a small sample of the areas of focus of our researchers and clinicians.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Institute recognizes that mental wellness is a vital part of overall health. Poor mental health can lead to mental and physical illness and impact ability to cope with stressful situations. Libin researchers and clinicians know that the mental health of cardiovascular patients, especially those who have life-altering conditions and implantable devices, may suffer. They are combating this through research, awareness and patient resources, like Calgary’s mental health device clinic.

SEE STORY PAGE 40

PREVENTION & PROMOTION

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer globally for men and women. That statistic may sound grim, but an estimated 80 per cent of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are preventable. Researchers are dedicated to understanding the factors that influence lifestyle choices and their impact on cardiovascular risk. Our researchers are monitoring and analyzing global data, informing government policies and health guidelines. But they are also facilitating change for local groups and individuals, by investigating ways to nurture physically active communities.

For example, Libin Research Collaborative, P2: Person to Population, is coordinating a mall-walking program in hopes of facilitating real lifestyle changes for Calgarians.

libin.ucalgary.ca/p2

LIBIN LIFE

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SEX & GENDER

Our biological sex and sociocultural differences (gender) influence our risk of developing certain diseases, how often we will seek care and how our disease will progress. The Libin Institute’s newest research collaborative, CV&Me, is focused on understanding how our sex and gender differences influence cardiovascular health. The goal is optimal cardiovascular health for everyone.

libin.ucalgary.ca/cv-me

HEART & VASCULAR SYSTEM

Heart disease takes the lives of 12 Canadian adults each hour, and many more live with the condition. Libin researchers are working to change this. In fact, heart health is the Institute’s main area of focus. Our researchers work closely with health-care providers to solve real-world problems in the clinic with the goal of improving patient outcomes. For example, surgeon scientist Dr. Paul Fedak, MD, PhD, Libin director, was recently part of a team that discovered a cell with the potential to heal in the fluid surrounding the heart. The result is immediate clinical change.

The Libin Institute is also highly interested in improving the experience of patients in care. Recently, members launched the first nurse-practitioner run cardiac clinic in Canada and the results are promising.

SEE STORIES ON PAGES 28 AND 44

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LIBIN LIFE

Forward thinking

Q&A with Libin Institute's new research director

We sat down with Dr. Robert Rose, PhD, the Libin Cardiovascular Institute's new research director, to discuss his views on cardiovascular research in Calgary and to hear his plans for the future.

Why did you decide to take on this role?

I agreed to take on this role so that I can help enhance the research efforts of our Institute. Research continues to excite me and challenge me every day. In this role I will have the opportunity to interact more extensively with our members, learn more about what we are doing, and to help facilitate our goals and efforts to be a leading cardiovascular research centre.

How do you feel about being chosen?

I’m honoured and excited to have been chosen for the role.

How do you view the research environment at the Libin Institute?

We have a very strong, vibrant and diverse research enterprise at the Libin Institute. Overall, we are performing well from the perspectives of obtaining funding, publishing high-quality papers and seeing our work highly cited. We are fortunate to be in an environment where we have strong support from the community, which has been instrumental in helping us obtain powerful, state-of-the-art infrastructure to support our research efforts. All of this speaks to the very high quality of our research environment. We will continue to strive to be even better.

What are your goals as research director?

My goal is to understand the needs of our investigators in order to help advance our research mission. In doing so, I hope to see our collective scientific success and productivity continue to increase and for the Libin Cardiovascular Institute to be recognized as a worldclass centre for cardiovascular research.