The American Heart Association estimates that 93.9 million American adults have elevated blood cholesterol levels. Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease, and the higher the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, the greater the coronary heart disease risk. Despite advances in the pharmacological treatment of dyslipidemia, high cholesterol remains a significant public health problem in the United States. Almost 30% of adults 20 years and older have high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.1 Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with 1 in every 3 deaths-nearly 840 000 people-resulting from heart disease annually.1
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) is excited to host the first annual virtual Cholesterol Summit in May of 2022. National guidelines for cholesterol management have existed since the 1980s, but there remains a gap in applying these guidelines to evidence-based treatment. This 1-day virtual summit aims to close this gap in optimal cholesterol management by empowering healthcare professionals to understand and apply evidence-based guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia and the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Tune in for the lineup of informative sessions including patient- and healthcare provider-focused topics such as the following:
* Cholesterol Management in the Acute Care Setting
* The Role of Non-Statin Therapies in Optimal Cholesterol Management
* Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH): Patient and Provider Perspectives
* Lipoprotein(a) and ASCVD Risk
* Overcoming Patient and Provider Inertia
* Improving Adherence to Cholesterol Lowering Therapies
See you there!
Learn on the Go: Podcasts and Videos on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Aortic Stenosis
Most of us are busier than ever but still need to keep up with the latest evidence-based information to help our patients-and PCNA now has even more content available just when you need it. Whether you are at work, making the most of your commute, multitasking while you exercise, or at home in your slippers, check out these short-and-sweet options to improving your knowledge and skills.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Podcasts and Videos
An estimated 1 in 500 people in the United States have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-but they may not know it, and you might miss it, too. How can you help identify the symptoms and effectively manage these patients in your practice?
Learn from experts from across the country in a new 3-part podcast series and a 2-part video series. Real-world examples, practical strategies, and perspectives of providers and patients alike will help you more easily navigate the complexities of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy identification and management.
The podcast series includes content on signs, symptoms, and diagnosis; disease awareness for every age; and shared decision making and behavior change in patients. Each podcast is approximately 30 minutes in length.
The video series (each approximately 5 minutes long) tackles shared decision making and empowering patients as advocates in their own care, and how each can contribute to improved patient outcomes.
Aortic Stenosis
One of the most common, and serious, valve disease issues, aortic stenosis (AS) involves the narrowing of the aortic valve opening and restriction of blood flow. Caused by a congenital heart defect, or during aging as damage to the valve by calcium or scarring, AS can lead to heart failure if untreated. More than 20% of older Americans have AS.2
A 4-part video series covers healthy and unhealthy valves; symptoms; types of patients whose symptoms may raise suspicion of AS; diagnostic tests; treatment; team-based care, including referrals; shared decision making; and complications. Find more at pcna.net.
New Tool: Understanding Your Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke
Assessing risk is a crucial step in preventing and treating ASCVD, and its risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. PCNA has developed this handout for nurses and other healthcare providers to help patients and their families understand how heart disease risk tools (calculators) work.
Help your patients understand how their ASCVD risk is measured, what a risk score means, and how they can reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke. This 3-page digital sheet is available to download in English and Spanish.
Updated Familial Hypercholesterolemia Clinical Tools
Our Familial Hypercholesterolemia patient education sheet and booklet are newly updated to include more emphasis on homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The tool now covers the differentiation between homozygous and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the importance in testing other family members of a diagnosed patient, and the urgency to diagnose and treat this condition.
The tools can be downloaded or ordered in sets of 25 sheets. PCNA members can order hard copies at no charge.
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