Heart to Heart Nurses

Advanced practice providers (APP) provide both quality care and leadership in structural heart interventions. Guest Caitlin O’Callaghan Reen, CNP, FACC, describes how to effectively work with patients and their support communities in shared decision-making for long-term, lifetime planning, and leadership within the structural heart team. Related PCNA CE Course:  Structural Heart Interventions...

Around 4% of the global population has aortic stenosis, and early identification is key to reducing strain on the heart and reducing morbidity and mortality. Guest Alicia White, MSN, RN, describes signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care following procedures. Related PCNA CE course: Aortic Stenosis: An increasing risk for structural heart disease: https://pcna.net/course/aortic...

The intersection of risk factors for diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, the liver, and the cardiovascular system is becoming increasingly evident, and so is the mult-system impacts of lifestyle and specific pharmacotherapies for prevention and treatment. Episode guests Joseph Saseen, PharmD, MNLA, FACC, CLS, and Emily Bankhead, MSN, FNP-BC, describe the positive impacts of healthcare professionals...

How can nurses and other healthcare professionals help patients with diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions reduce their risk of CVD? Join guests Joseph Saseen, PharmD, MNLA, FACC, CLS, and Emily Bankhead, MSN, FNP-BC, for a discussion about applying current guidelines for hypertension and glucose-lowering therapies and the importance of team-based care. Related Resources: 2025 AHA/ACC High...

This episode explores how translational research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and real-world patient care, and highlights the nurse’s pivotal role in clinical trials. Tune in to guests Brittany Butts, PhD, RN, and Erin Ferranti, PhD, MPH, RN, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN, to learn how you can champion research, from participation to publication, and drive meaningful change in healthcare. Link...

This episode equips nurses with practical tools to assess and manage patients with cardiometabolic risks like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Guests Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, PhD, MHS, RN, and Cindy Lamendola, MSN, NP, dive into the power of lifestyle changes to reduce these risks, while also breaking down the latest clinical guidelines and pharmacotherapies to keep your practice current and e...

Guest James Norton, BSN, RN, FPCNA, describes the use of AI in nursing practice, focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs). James shares how to effectively craft a prompt to get the results you need whether you are looking for information on clinical references or guidelines, or drafting appeal letters for denied prior authorizations, and the importance of reviewing AI outputs with a critical eye.&...

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/n...

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 Polic...

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 progressio...

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 Waiv...

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 Po...

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-inf...

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 parad...

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 th...

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...

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...

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-calcu...

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-cardiovascu...

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: Patient Education Tool o...

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-b...

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...

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 an...

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-o...