Heart Talk: Nourishing Healthy Hearts

Course Introduction/Program Abstract

The overall course goal is to provide nurses and nurse practitioners with a solid knowledge base in the basic principles of nutrition as they relate to the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease so that they may be able to apply these principles in the support of heart healthy lifestyle changes in their patients. Secondarily, this course is intended to provide nurses and nurse practitioners with the ability to:

• Function with other health care team members in care of nutrition
• Utilize terminology to optimize third party reimbursement when patients are referred to the registered dietitian for medical nutrition therapy
• Utilize web-based resources for addressing cardiovascular nutrition issues

This course consists of two components – the Scientific Background Document and the online course. You should first download and read the reference document as it provides a broad conceptual framework and context for the online portion of the course. The topics addressed (in either or both components) in this course include the following:

• Atherosclerosis and the artherosclerotic process
• Risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD)
• Relationship of nutritional components to heart disease and risk factors
• Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) recommended by National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III
• Nutritional approaches to metabolic syndrome
• Cardiovascular benefits of fish and other omega-3 sources, soy protein and nuts
• Issues related to vitamin supplements

Audience

The audience for this course is nurses and nurse practitioners specializing in cardiovascular risk reduction and disease management.  

Learning Objectives

In addition to the outcomes identified above, upon completion of both components of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe new and emerging risk factors for heart disease
• Explain how dietary components affect serum lipids
• Explain how dietary components affect coronary heart disease risk
• Describe the principles of Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes recommended by the Third Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III of NCEP)
• Discuss the importance of lifestyle modification in prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome
• Discuss how dietary components may affect emerging risk factors for
  heart disease
• Describe functional foods available for reducing risk for cardiovascular disease
• Address key issues related to nutritional supplements for cardiovascular patients

Faculty

Jo Ann S. Carson, PhD, RD, LD
Department of Clinical Nutrition & Center for Human Nutrition
UT Southwestern

Sponsor

This activity is sponsored by the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. Learn more about becoming a PCNA member and its benefits.

Grantor

This CME activity is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Promise Spreads.

Taking your health to heart™

Participation in the activity and receipt of certificate of credit

First, download and read the Scientific Background Document. After doing so, login and complete all of the lessons in the online course Heart Talk: Nourishing Healthy Hearts. Take the online certification assessment, complete the evaluation form and submit your results electronically. There is no registration fee. Tests will be graded and results displayed instantaneously. Participants who receive a passing score of 75% or higher will receive an electronic, printable certificate of credit immediately after completing the test. You will have more than one opportunity to successfully complete the certification assessment.