Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice and conveys a 4- to 5-fold increased risk of stroke; yet, it often goes undiagnosed and untreated in a primary care setting. In the program, Dr. Ty Gluckman discusses how to recognize patients at high risk for AF, evaluate patients newly diagnosed with AF, assess risk of bleeding and thromboembolism, and apply evidence-based recommendations to reduce thromboembolic risk. Please note that any data, indications, and guidelines presented in this activity are current as of the recording/release on 8/4/2020, and they are subject to change as new information is published.

This session will provide an overview of the best practices in the treatment of cardiovascular problems in African Americans with a focus on hypertension, heart failure, stroke, vascular disease, arrhythmias, and thrombosis. Overarching trends in salt sensitivity, smoking, and medication adherence will also be reviewed, as well as opportunities to positively impact behavior. Dr. Hall is a Primary Care Physician and an expert in Black American Health and Healthcare. He is the former chair of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, Director of the National Center for African American Health, Research, Education and Policy at Cleveland State University, and Author of “Patient-Centered Clinical Care for African Americans: A Concise, Evidence-Based Guide to Important Differences and Better Outcomes”. Please note that any data, indications, and guidelines presented in this activity are current as of the recording on 08/11/2020 and they are subject to change as new information is published.

Watch distinguished faculty from Northwestern University examine clinical trial data and the latest evidence-based guidelines for hypercholesterolemia to help you develop a practical approach to lipid management for primary care. Please note that any data, indications, and guidelines presented in this activity are current as of the recording/release on August 12, 2020, and they are subject to change as new information is published.

Get your questions answered by expert faculty in Cardiology. You ask: we listen. You will learn practical solutions to common clinical challenges and tips to apply the latest knowledge in practice.

Sudden cardiac death of a young athlete is a rare but devastating event. The pre-participation exam consists of a history and physical, however the sensitivity of this is poor. This talk will review the evaluation recommended by the American Heart Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Family Physician, as well as the more controversial widespread screening with electrocardiogram and limited focus cardiac ultrasound.

This talk will emphasize new guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention, highlighting the big three risk factors: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The talk will also discuss controversies and commonalities, and offer practical tips for implementing the guidelines.

This talk will review data on the current diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Participants will learn about the scope of the clinical problem, the pathophysiology of ACS, and diagnostic strategies and cardiac markers as well as receive updates on clinical trials data, guideline recommendations, and management strategies. In particular, the speaker will focus on acute management and Class I recommended long-term therapies in the current guidelines that reduce the risk of recurrent events and mortality.

In this session, you will receive the most important cardiology updates from 2018-2019, including trial evidence for dietary supplements in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and new information about the blood cholesterol guidelines. The session will also provide advice on how to differentiate between opportunistic and systematic screening for atrial fibrillation as well as identify ways to conduct this screening in practice.

Heart failure (HF) affects 6.2 million people in the United States, with 1 million new cases occurring annually and a resultant 1 million hospitalizations, which translates into an annual estimated cost of over $30 billion dollars. Mortality with this condition is high, approximately 50% at five years. Implementation of the advances in management of heart failure have the potential to improve patients' quality of life, reduce the need for hospitalizations, reduce total medical costs, and prolong survival. This lecture will review the current evidence-based, guideline-recommended diagnosis and management of heart failure. You will learn the essential roles of evidence-based heart failure medications, device therapy, patient education, and disease management.

This presentation will provide an updated on newer approaches to the management of lipid disorders for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis. It will also provide an evidence-based approach to the management of lipid disorders in special populations. The focus will be on the recommendations provided by the 2018 ACC/AHA Guidelines on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol and the application of these clinical guidelines in patient care.

This talk will discuss the appropriate use of PPIs, including FDA indications and other accepted uses based on guidelines and systematic reviews. There will also be a brief review of the literature regarding issues of PPI safety. While many retrospective studies have raised concerns about various health conditions associated with PPI use, the quality of these studies need to be accounted for when considering the potential benefit that can be derived from these medications, even with long-term use. Finally, the faculty will provide a summary of “best practices."

Stroke can be devastating and lead to significant disability and/or death. Diagnosing and treating stroke symptoms as well as factors associated with transient ischemic attacks—often a stroke warning sign—are of paramount importance. The faculty in this talk will discuss the crucial role of the primary care team in post-stroke care and how you can ensure the best recovery for your patients who have suffered from stroke.