PCNA Online Forms Guide: Practical Information for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
The Forms Guide was developed by PCNA with an unrestricted grant from Merck/Shering-Plough to provide multiple-risk factor tools and educational materials for healthcare providers in cardiovascular risk reduction practice. These Web-based tools are available for download and contain templates including patient assessment forms, contracts, flowcharts, follow-up plans and tools, patient education materials, and a list of online resources. There are 13 topics including patient education materials and assessment tools for risk and prevention assessment, medications, nutrition, exercise, self-monitoring, and so forth. Forms may be customized to include a specific organization logo and contact information.
Recently, the PCNA Web site was examined to determine frequency of access of the Forms Guide. There were 33,569 Web hits since the forms were made available. Of the 13 topics, the most frequently accessed was "drug information sheets for patients," followed by "assessment tools," "nutrition," and "self-monitoring," respectively (see Figure 1).
These data were exciting news for PCNA as it constantly strives to provide accurate, useful, and current information to healthcare providers. Clearly, the Forms Guide is well utilized in key areas of risk factor reduction and available to members and nonmembers. Go to http://www.pcna.net for more information about these great tools.
PCNA Round Table Discussions
PCNA is excited to offer a new learning experience-round table discussions-at the annual symposium in Dallas, Texas, on April 17, 2009. These interactive sessions will allow participants to gather in small groups for a discussion of the challenges and emerging trends while exchanging ideas, solutions, and best practices. Attendees may choose to take part in the discussion of one of the following topics: (1) selecting a graduate program (MSN, DNP, or PhD?), (2) writing for a publication, (3) developing an exercise prescription with and without a stress test, (4) organizing community risk reduction programs, and (5) starting a risk reduction clinic. Space is limited to 20 people per topic, and participation will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
We hope you plan to attend the annual symposium and will give the round table discussions a try. The following tips are offered as suggestions to make the most of your discussion experience:
* A-Aims. Before you walk into the round table, determine what you aim to achieve. Is there information you wish to obtain or find solutions to concerns you have?
* R-Resources/References. Write down helpful resources and references shared during the discussion to use at home to continue learning about the topic.
* O-Organize. Ponder the topic before coming to the round table discussion. Organize your thoughts, and be prepared to ask questions.
* U-Understanding. If unclear about what is being discussed, ask for clarifications. Chances are you will not be the only one to benefit.
* N-Names. As people introduce themselves, note their names and use them during the discussion.
* D-Discussion. Keep the discussion going after the round table concludes by connecting with participants throughout the meeting.
* T-Time. Be on time, and be ready to participate in the discussion from the start. Because time is short, take turns so that everyone has an opportunity to speak.
* A-Annual Symposium. If you want to be among the first to participate in a PCNA round table discussion, register today for the annual symposium!
* B-Brief and Breaks. Round table discussions are brief and do not contain breaks. When you do have a break, use it to meet new people and make contacts.
* L-Leadership, Listen. Your round table discussion will have a leader who will be responsible for guiding the discussion. Listen respectfully to "others'" ideas and suggestions.
* E-Enthusiasm. Bring your enthusiasm for learning the topic. Share it!
PCNA Supports Heart Disease Education, Analysis and Research, and Treatment for Women Act
The year 2008 has come and gone without seeing any dramatic changes in the heart disease statistics for women. Heart disease is still the number 1 killer of women, with stroke being number 3. These diseases, combined with other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), still kill more women compared with the next 5 causes combined. Strikingly, 1 woman dies of CVD per minute!
Various awareness campaigns continue across the country: American Heart Association's Go Red for Women; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Heart Truth; and PCNA's Tell a Friend, to name a few.
However, what is so exciting as 2009 begins is the historic passage of the Heart Disease Education, Analysis and Research, and Treatment (HEART) for Women Act by the House of Representatives in late fall (and sent to the senate for consideration). What the bill will do is enhance awareness on several fronts. First, through grants, it would educate women and their healthcare providers about the prevalence and unique disease aspects that affect screening and treatment. The bill would authorize the Medicare program to also participate in such educational offerings.
Second, the bill would require that healthcare data reported to the federal government be stratified and analyzed by gender regarding clinical trial data, pharmaceutical and device approval data, medical errors, and quality improvement initiatives. These data are necessary if we are to bridge the gender gap and provide women with the most effective treatments.
Finally, the bill would expand the Center for Disease Control's Well-integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation program to all 50 states. This cost-effective screening program for high blood pressure and cholesterol is crucial for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women at risk for CVD.
Now is the time for the healthcare community to come together to advocate for the senate's passage of the HEART for Women Act. PCNA can be leaders in this "call to action." Encourage your friends and colleagues to write their senators to encourage this bill to be taken up and passed. The American Heart Association provides templates for letters online at http://www.heartforwomen.org.
Emphasize in your calls to action that this landmark legislation will inform the nation that heart disease is not just a man's disease and it will help reduce disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke. As each minute passes-taking the life of one's sister, mother, daughter, or friend-all nurses and healthcare professionals must advance this fight to beat our number 1 killer. We have the power! Let's use it.
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
For the first time, the US Government's Department of Health and Human Services has issued physical activity guidelines for Americans aged 6 years and older. The guidelines, released on October 7, 2008, describe the types and amounts of physical activity that result in substantial health benefits.
These guidelines represent the first major review of the science on benefits of physical activity in more than a decade. A new approach to physical activity presented in these guidelines include (1) a range of physical activity: the more you do, the more benefits you gain; (2) a focus on total amount of activity per week (rather than daily); and (3) recommended physical activity levels for special groups such as children and adolescents, adults, older adults, persons with disabilities, pregnant and postpartum women, and persons with some chronic conditions.
Children and adolescents (aged 6-17 years):
* They should have 1 hour (60 minutes) or more of physical activity every day.
* Most of the time, aerobic activity should be moderate to vigorous in intensity.
* Vigorous activity and muscle-strengthening activity should be included at least 3 days per week.
Adults (aged 18-64 years):
* They should have 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, preferably spread throughout the week.
* Additional health benefits are provided by increasing to 5 hours (300 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity or an equivalent combination of both.
* Muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups should be performed on 2 or more days per week.
Older adults (aged 65 years and older):
* Follow the adult guidelines. If not possible because of limiting chronic conditions, older adults should be as physically active as their abilities allow. Older adults should do exercises that maintain or improve balance if they are at risk of falling.
* Some activity is better than none. Physical activity is safe for almost everyone, and the health benefits far outweigh the risks. People without diagnosed chronic conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, or osteoarthritis) and who do not have symptoms do not need to consult with a healthcare provider about physical activity.
The guidelines cite the following strong evidence for physical activity in adults: lower risk of early death, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and colon and breast cancer; prevention of weight gain; weight loss when combined with diet; improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness; prevention of falls; reduced depression; and better cognitive function in older adults. Benefits of exercise for children and adolescents include the following: improved cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular fitness, favorable body composition, improved bone health, and improved cardiovascular and metabolic health biomarkers.
The activity guidelines are available at http://www.health.gov/paguidelines. You can download the complete 76-page report, which provides significant detail regarding the above recommendations and health benefits. In addition to the guidelines, the Web site has a downloadable handbook for adults interested in becoming more active, as well as a toolkit for communities and organizations that wish to encourage residents and members to get the recommended amount of physical activity and make healthier lifestyle choices to be active and healthy.
Section Description
The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing is the official journal of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. PCNA is the leading nursing organization dedicated to preventing cardiovascular disease through assessing risk, facilitating lifestyle changes, and guiding individuals to achieve treatment goals.