Methods of improving cardiac function and attenuating and/or preventing cardiac remodeling with hsp20

A method of improving cardiac function associated with ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/R injury) in an individual's heart comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of phosphorylated Heat-Shock Protein Hsp20 or an agent that increases the level of and/or the activity of phosphorylated Hsp20 sufficient to improve cardiac function associated with I/R injury, wherein the cardiac function that is improved comprises increased cardiac contractile function in the heart, decreased cardiac remodeling, decreased I/R injury-induced necrosis and/or apoptosis, or decreased infarct size in the heart as compared to an individual not administered phosphorylated Hsp20 or an agent that increases the level of and/or the activity of phosphorylated Hsp20.