Stroke and Heart of the Matter

Course overview

The webinar presents up-to-date evidence based on peer-reviewed clinical papers in leading journals published between 2020 and 2023, thus allowing the participant to become familiar with the most current guideline-level recommendations as well as ongoing developments in the fields of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. The main concentrations of webinar include: Risks, risk mitigation, signs and symptoms of acute cardiovascular (including MI) and cerebrovascular (including TIA and stroke) conditions. The goal of these segments is to provide the participant with the most updated research to recognize patient's physical and mental condition in order to decide on the correct course of action. Differences in cardiovascular presentations as seen in women and men, the relationship with menstrual cycle disorders and hormone replacement therapies, specifics of vascular health in younger patients as compared and contrasted with the elderly (65+) populations; as well as the causative relationship between cardio- and cerebrovascular conditions and sleep disorders, medication overuse disorders, and poor lifestyle choices (smoking, alcohol abuse). Strategies for prevention of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease that include lipid management with diet, exercise, and, when needed, medication such as statins, the approach to a statin-intolerant patient, nutrition modification, the use of aspirin and other medications that affect blood clotting, and a special sub-segment on ancestry-confirming care, especially lipid management in Black patients in light of the newest discoveries in the field. A special sub-segment addresses the risks of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease for specific populations including patients with type 2 diabetes and patients following COVID-19 infection and strategies for risk mitigation, including medication, immunization and care for post-acute sequelae patients. All four of these concentrations are chosen due to the presence of a specific knowledge gap as attested in all health care professionals, including nursing, long term care, mental health, dentistry, pharmacy, dietetic, occupational and physical therapy.