Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects 1 in 250 individuals, and genetic testing for patients and families is an important part of diagnosis and management. Guest Seth Martin, MD, reviews FH risk factors, at what ages and when genetic testing is recommended, and the roles of a genetic counselor and other team members.

Related resources:

NLA Statement on Genetic Testing: https://www.lipid.org/nla/genetic-testing-dyslipidemia 

FH Diagnosis: Dutch & Simon Broome criteria: https://familyheart.org/diagnostic-criteria-for-familia-hypercholesterolemia2 

AHA criteria: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.119.013225

Familial Hypercholesterolemia Resources from PCNA:

* What is Familial Hypercholesterolemia patient fact sheet: https://pcna.net/resource/what-is-familial-hypercholesterolemia-fact-sheet/

* What is Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (fact sheet for families): https://pcna.net/resource/what-is-homozygous-familial-hypercholesterolemia-fact-sheet/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The mortality rate of cardiogenic shock is around 50%, so prevention and rapid treatment are critical to ensure improved patient outcomes. Guest Amy Shepard, BSN, MS, describes the stages of shock, what leads to cardiogenic shock, treatments, and communication strategies for patients and families.

References and Related Resources

SCAI Shock Pyramid

PCNA Heart Failure Pocket Guide

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With lifestyle identified as the first intervention in guideline-directed therapy, applying the pillars of lifestyle medicine into practice can help prevent cardiovascular disease from happening in the first place. Guest Ali Craig Rodriguez, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, DipACLM, describes the importance of partnering with patients to incorporate healthy behaviors to stave off or slow disease progression.

PCNA Heart Healthy Toolbox: https://pcna.net/resource/reducing-cv-risk-heart-healthy-toolbox/ 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Learn how providing nutrition-based interventions can complement other treatments, address food insecurity, and help reduce patient risks for cardiovascular disease. Guest Bunmi Ogungbe, PhD, MPH, FN, FAHA, FPCNA. describes produce prescriptions, cultural tailoring, cooking skills, and the importance of policies that support access to healthy foods.

Related resources: 

1115 Demonstration Waiver (CMS): https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demonstrations

CE Course: Food is Medicine: https://pcna.net/course/food-is-medicine/

PCNA Heart Healthy Toolbox-Healthy Eating: https://pcna.net/resource/healthy-eating-heart-healthy-toolbox/ 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Engaging education helps to improve knowledge and skills retention by nurses at every stage of their career. Learn how to gamify information in clinical settings as well as classrooms--and how the same techniques can also assist patient learning.

Guest: Megan ­­­Webber, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN 

PCNA Patient Education Resources: https://pcna.net/resources/patient-education/ 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing stories about the work nurses do carries weight with decision-makers. Guest Kristan Langdon, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, CPHQ, emphasizes the importance of communicating your first-hand experiences in compelling conversations at the local, regional, state, and national level.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A diagnosis of HCM impacts mental as well as physical health. Hear from Lora Peppard, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC on interventions that nurses can use to support patients with HCM and lead to improved quality of life, adherence, and long-term health outcomes.

Related resources:

HCM & Mental Health: https://www.4hcm.org/hcm-and-mental-health 

American Psychiatric Nurses Association connection paradigm

Spirituality wellness assessments

Mattering Science: Zach Mercurio

Flourishing Science: Christie Bethel

PCNA resources on HCM for providers and patients

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Utilizing shared decision-making in the diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can support positive outcomes for patients, family members and caregivers. Guests Kim Hecker, BSN, BA, RN, and Jillian Thorne, describe the process, and the impacts across all stages of the patient journey. 

References and related resources:

2024 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of HCM

Twice the Heart Foundation: https://www.instagram.com/twicetheheartfoundation/ 

PCNA resources on HCM for providers and patients

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

PCNA Diabetes resources for providers and patients

CARDS trial

IMPROVE-IT trial

FOURIER trial

ODYSSEY trial

VESALIUS-CV trial

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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: 

PCNA Lipid resources for providers and patients

PCNA Diabetes resources for providers and patients

2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

PREVENT Risk Calculator

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.