An implantable device for diminishing long-term myocardial damage caused by an infarct or ischemia, the device comprising: detection circuitry adapted to detect an infarct or ischemia and stimulation circuitry adapted to call, in response to the detection circuitry detecting an infarct or ischemia, for delivery of energy to the distal ileum to activate L cells wherein activation of L cells causes release of GLP-1 and wherein release of GLP-1 diminishes long-term myocardial damage caused by an infarct or ischemia.