The Pulse Pod

Quantity and quality of sleep have serious implications for the heart, especially in vulnerable populations such as cardiac rehab participants. Guest author Misti J. Norton, PhD, DBSM, explains the difference between insomnia and insufficient sleep and offers tips for combating both. Hint: counting sheep isn’t the solution! 

To transition from being a "current" smoker to a "former" smoker, individuals must acknowledge the addictive nature of smoking and embrace a forward-moving mindset. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization have introduced frameworks emphasizing collaboration, health equity, and comprehensive support to improve smoking cessation efforts, especially in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation settings where community engagement can play a key role in promoting tobacco-free living. Learn more from "New Tobacco Cessation Frameworks: Implications for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation," by Joel Hughes, PhD, FAACVPR.

AACVPR is now offering audio readings of select News & Views articles. Whether you’re commuting to work, exercising at the gym, or relaxing on your couch at home, you can now enjoy these articles in a lively, sonic form! Dive into “Heartfelt Smiles,” written by Andrew Schlosser, MS, CEP, CPT, now.

We caught up with three AACVPR affiliate leaders at the Affiliate Leadership Forum earlier this year to get their thoughts on the benefits of being part of a local cardiopulmonary rehabilitation group, how their affiliate has helped with career growth, takeaways from the forum and more.

Hear from 39th AACVPR Annual Meeting Chair Daniel Forman, MD, FAHA, FACC, and Vice Chair Anne M. Gavic-Ott, MPA, RCEP, MAACVPR on what's in store for this year's event.

A first for The Pulse Pod, host Tom Draper sits down with JJ Rivera, a now cardiac rehabilitation program graduate who heart failure in 2023. Hear JJ's story and advice on how cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation professionals can help make the patient experience the best it can be.

Having implemented program change at their respective facilities, AACVPR members Jonathan David and Mike Thompson share insights into how they first approached change within their cardiac rehabilitation programs, the resources they turned to and tips for listeners looking to implement change at their own facilities.

An annual event, Day on the Hill (DOTH) is a two-day experience that brings AACVPR members together in Washington, D.C., to meet with elected officials and legislative staffs as constituents, voters and as healthcare professionals advocating for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. We caught up with attendees live on Capitol Hill to capture their thoughts on the event, hear how meetings with legislators went and more!

If You Build It… They will come! Listen in on the conversation between Tom and AACVPR Past President Kate Traynor as they talk CR/PR program management. Touching on common pitfalls, frustrations and best practices within program management and staffing, the experts share how to build and maintain a successful cardiopulmonary rehab practice!

AACVPR Program Planning Committee Chair, Dr. Emily Gathright, joins The Pulse Pod to talk all things Annual Meeting! From session selection to poster presentation, tune in to get the A-Z breakdown of what to expect in Milwaukee this fall.