Heart to Heart Nurses
Heart to Heart Nurses is brought to you by the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. Each episode will provide you with knowledge and tools you can apply to the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease across the lifespan.
Episodes
Review the latest clinical guidelines on LDL-C reduction, especially for your patients with diabetes. Guest Susan Halli Demeter, DNP, CNP, NP, also reflects on how engaging patients in shared decision-making aids in treatment adherence and identifies potential barriers to address, including polypharmacy, access, and other issues.
References and Related Resources:
PCNA Lipid resources for providers and patients
Earlier ASCVD risk reduction is better--particularly for patients with diabetes. Guest Lisa Maher, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, FPCNA, discusses the importance of reviewing family history, and shares strategies for decision-making in primary and secondary risk reduction strategies asuch as lowering LDL-C, blood glucose, hypertension, smoking, and other factors.
Related Resources:
What can we be doing to reduce LDL-C to decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease, particularly in our patients with diabetes? Learn from Margo B. Minissian, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAAN about the role of high blood sugar in cardiovascular disease, effective strategies for lowering LDL-C, and the importance of early treatment.
Related Resources:
PCNA Lipid Resources for Providers and Patients
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease in the US. Guest James Norton, BSN, RN, shares the hallmark signs and symptoms, and describes how shared decision-making in the care of patients with HCM from diverse populations.
Related resources:
AHA HCM sudden cardiac death risk calculator: https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/hcm-risk-calculator
Guest Keri Barron, PhD, RN, CNE, shares ideas for improving cardiovascular outcomes for Black women. This includes individual actions such as preparation for clinical encounters and self-advocacy, as well as larger-scale initiatives like research and community outreach.
Resources & References:
PCNA articles:
Faith-Based Cardiovascular Health. https://pcna.net/news/faith-based-cardiovascular-health/
Unders...
Patients with cardiomyopathy may benefit from virtual patient support groups. Guest Andrea Linder, RN, MSN, CCRC, FPCNA, describes a successful model, with sessions that include both information and opportunities to share their questions and experiences. Andrea also discusses recent clinical trials and the impact of mavacamten on disease management.
Related PCNA Resources:
Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome leads to poor health outcomes, and is affecting individuals at younger and younger ages. The PREVENT calculator helps identify individuals earlier in the disease progression, allowing time for intervientions that may lead to a regression on the stages of CKM. Guest Chiadi Ndumele, MD, PhD. also describes shared decision-making, and value- and volume-based care models.
PREVE...
Afib is on the rise with significant effects on morbidity and mortality. The stagnation of blood in the left atrium and left atrial appendage (LAA) places patients at risk for thromboembolism and stroke. By ligating or closing off the LAA, the risk can be significantly reduced. This intervention offers a valuable alternative to medication, improving safety and quality of life for patients through a minimally invasive, dura...
Afib is on the rise with significant effects on morbidity and mortality. Afib is a progressive disease with various treatment methods to match to your patients' risk factors and health goals. Stroke prevention is a crucial risk factor to evaluate on the progressive journey of a patient experiencing Afib. Learn more about the assessment and identification of patients with Afib at risk for stroke and next steps in prevention...
Connection can be the key to health, and those facing disconnection are at significantly higher risk of CVD, stroke, T2D, and other health issues. Guest Lora Peppard, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC, describes the importance of relationships and the 6 core beliefs that can help our patients and ourselves have improved health.
Resources:
Related PCNA CE course: https://pcna.net/course/the-extraordinary-impact-of-connection-on-mental-a...
* Add FAAN to Anita's creds after Oct. 18.
Guests: Anita Rich, DNP, RN, CHFN, CDCES, FAAN, and Jane DeMeis.
Related resources:
PCNA CKM tools and resources: https://pcna.net/resources/patient-education/patient-information/cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic-syndrome-resources/
2025 ACC Expert Consensus Statement on Medical Weight Mgmt for Optimization of CV Health: https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.05....
The bidiretional relationship between cardiac and renal systems means that any dysfunction can cause a cascade of health issues. Learn about team-based care strategies for nurses and other professionals to monitor and manage patients with these conditions from guests Andrew Bzowyckyj, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES, FAPhA, FADCES, and Serina Gbaba, DNP, MBA, FNP-BC.
PCNA CKM tools and resources: https://pcna.net/resources/patient-...
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is progressive, but can be halted or even reversed with effective management. Guests Chiai Ndumele, MD, PhD, and Joe Saseen, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, describe the role of inflammation and how the biologic factors for diagnosis and treatment are nested within a patient's social context.
2023 AHA Statement Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.116...
In patients with heart failure, remote hemodynamic monitoring can identify health changes long before symptoms appear, contributing to slower disease progression, improved patient outcomes, and reduced rehospitalizations. Learn more about current and future technology that can support better patient health, and the role of nurses in patient education and monitoring. Guests: Linda Park, PhD, MS, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAHA, FPCNA, a...
Breast artery calcification is an incident finding on routine screening mammograms, and reflects an artery change. It has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and CV events. Learn from guest Heather Johnson, MD, MS, MMM, how the finding can lead to improved risk reduction measures and improved patient outcomes.
PCNA Heart Healthy Toolbox: https://pcna.net/resource/reducing-cv-risk-heart...
Join Dr. Salim Virani as he explores global trends in cardiovascular disease, including shifting risk factors, emerging therapies, and prevention strategies. From disparities in care to the promise of primordial and even pre-primordial prevention, this conversation highlights what nurses and other healthcare professionals can do to improve heart health worldwide.
Cleveland Clinic study on risk factors: https://pubmed.nc...
Global issues that impact cardiovascular health include access to, and continuity of, care for migrant workers, as well as rising temperatures in both rural and urban environments. Nurse Practitioner and researcher Daniel Smith, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, CNE, FAAN, shares strategies to help improve cardiovascular disease prevention and management to help every patient everywhere have improved outcomes.
Related resources:
Global Ca...
Identifying and managing PAD requires a head-to-toe strategy. Guest Tiffany Staab, RN, FNP, MSN, describes the four PAD stages, how the disease disproportionately affects Black patients, and the importance of listening to patient symptoms and observing lower limbs to help stem the tide of PAD-related amputations.
PCNA PAD resources: https://pcna.net/health-topics/pad/
AHA PAD heat map: https://professional.heart...
The dynamics of AFib and Heart Failure often lead to patients navigating both diseases simultaneously. Learn how to apply effective strategies for management, including team-based care, shared decision-making, addressing adherance barriers, and more, in this conversation with Kathy Wood, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, and Eryn Bryant, MSN, APRN-CNP, FPCNA.
PCNA Resources:
Atrial Fibrillation:https://pcna.net/health-topics/atrial-f...
The Southern Nevada PCNA chapter received the 2025 Chapter Award for outstanding contributions to their community. Learn about what has led to their success--and strategies you can implement in your own workplace and community--from chapter leaders Kredlen Dentscheff, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, David De Santiago, MSN Ed, RN MEDSURG-BC, CMSRN, CV-BC, and Charli Rose Saxton, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CMSRN, CV-BC.
PCNA Chapters: ht...
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