Minnesota Mission: Lifeline® 

Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. nationwide annually. This year an estimated 1.4 million people will suffer a heart attack. Approximately 400,000 of those victims will experience a STEMI.

Unfortunately, approximately 30% of STEMI patients do not receive any form of treatment to restore blood flow, whether through clot-busting drugs commonly referred to as thrombolytics or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the latter being the preferred therapy which uses mechanical means such as stents, balloon angioplasty or surgery.

Time is muscle. The outcome of STEMI events depends greatly on the care patients receive and the timeframe in which they receive it. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology's guidelines recommend that balloon angioplasty be performed within 90 minutes - preferably less - of arrival at any hospital.

In partnership with the medical community, this collaboration has the power to transform patient care for future heart attack victims in Minnesota. This innovative regional collaboration will work to ensure equipment compatibility, consistent training and uniform protocols for both transporting and treating heart attack patients across the region.

Resources for Minnesota Mission: Lifeline

AHA Guidelines On-The-Go by American Heart Association

Minnesota Chest Pain and Acute Coronary Syndrome Tool-Kit (PDF)(link opens in new window)

American Heart Association Quick Links

2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines Originally published28 Oct 2021 https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001030 Circulation. 2021;144:e368–e454(link opens in new window)

American Heart Association Healthcare Certification 

Focus on Quality - American Heart Association

Mission: Lifeline Systems of Care

CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC)

Systems of Care for ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association Originally published13 Oct 2021 https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001025 Circulation. 2021;144:e310–e327(link opens in new window)

Media Materials and PSAs

Mission: Lifeline Metro Campaign Infographic(link opens in new window)

Staff Leads:

Mindy Cook,
Senior Manager Quality, Outcomes, Research, & Analytics - National Center
American Heart Association
2750 Blue Water Road, Suite 250 | Eagan | MN | 56514
O  952.278.7938 | M  952.917.9977

American Heart Association
2750 Blue Water Rd. Ste, 250
Eagan, MN 55121