Presented by Tracey H. Taveira, Pharm.D., CDOE, CVDOE

Description: This continuing education program focuses on advancing the understanding and management of obesity and associated cardiovascular risks. Participants will review the latest literature, emphasizing the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The program will also explore the comparative effectiveness of novel obesity treatments, such as GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, against traditional weight loss medications. Additionally, attendees will gain practical insights into improving medication adherence by addressing common barriers, fostering effective patient provider communication, and implementing strategies to manage side effects and optimize medication tolerance. This overarching goal is to enhance clinical outcomes and support evidence-based practice in obesity care.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Review current guidelines and literature on the management of obesity and cardiovascular risk, with a focus on the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
2. Compare outcomes of novel obesity treatments, including GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, against previously available medications for weight loss.
3. Develop strategies to improve medication adherence by understanding common barriers, promoting patient-provider communication, and implementing tips to manage side effects and optimize medication tolerance.

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following each webinar. There is a 60-day viewing window for the recordings. This presentation series is sponsored by Novo Nordisk Inc. No credits (CEUs) are available for this free webinar series. 

Presented by Megan Hays, PhD, ABPP, FAACVPR

Description: This webinar will explore the complex relationship between obesity, behavior change, and cardiovascular health, equipping multidisciplinary cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation professionals with strategies to enhance patient care. Dr. Megan Hays will discuss social determinants of health, weight bias, gut-brain connections, and the psychological impact of obesity, providing insights into overcoming exercise apprehension and improving adherence. Attendees will gain practical tools to support behavior change, reduce cardiovascular risk, and foster a more inclusive, patient-centered rehabilitation experience. Join us for this essential discussion on empowering patients in their journey to better heart health.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Clarify the contributions of social determinants of health, weight bias, and various behaviors to body weight.
2. Learn evidence-based practical approaches to address exercise apprehension, enhance adherence, and support sustainable lifestyle modifications to improve cardiovascular well-being.
3. Develop strategies to provide sensitive, patient-centered care for individuals with obesity, ensuring a supportive rehabilitation environment that promotes long-term cardiovascular health.

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following each webinar. There is a 60-day viewing window for the recordings. This presentation series is sponsored by Novo Nordisk, Inc. This presentation is not offered for credits (CEUs).

Presented by Franklin Zimmerman, MD, FAACVPR
No relevant disclosures.

1.00 AACVPR CEUs | 1.00 ANCC CEUs

Topics Covered in this Webinar: Structured electrocardiographic interpretation, 12-lead ECG examples, and Q&A.

Webinar Course Description: This webinar will discuss the importance of structured ECG reporting. It will review diagnostic criteria for key ECG diagnoses and interpret real-world ECGs using the concepts learned throughout the series. 

Webinar Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

1. Discuss the importance of structured ECG reporting.
2. Review diagnostic criteria for key ECG diagnoses.
3. Interpret real-world ECGs using the concepts learned. 

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following the webinar. There is a 60 day viewing window for the recordings. 

Presented by: Robert Berry, MS, ACSM-CEP, RCEP, FAACVPR, Amanda Bonikowske, PhD, FAACVPR, Anne Gavic, MPA, RCEP, MAACVPR, Garrett Kellar, EdD, CCRP, RCEP, EP, EIM3, Katherine Menson, DO, Erik Ostrowski, MS, ACSM-RCEP, ACSM-CEP, EIM 3, CCRP, Patrick Savage, MS, FAACVPR, Ash Walker, DHSc, MA, ACSM-CEP, FAACVPR

4.0 AACVPR CEUs, 4.0 ANCC CEUs, 4.0 ACSM CEUs - pending approval

This AACVPR virtual course is designed for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals working in the areas of exercise assessment, prescription, and application of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation participants. Specifically designed to enhance exercise science knowledge, skills, and abilities in the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation setting, the half-day live, virtual masterclass will cover four key areas: foundational exercise science concepts, exercise assessment, exercise prescription/application, and special considerations. The class will be delivered in a half day virtual environment and provide topic application opportunities for attendees.

Learning Objectives: 

By the end of the AACVPR Exercise Prescription Masterclass, attendees will be able to perform the following:

- Demonstrate knowledge of the foundational principles of exercise science as they relate to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, including cardiopulmonary physiology, exercise metabolism, and physiological responses to exercise in individuals with cardiopulmonary disease.
- Apply various exercise assessment techniques and protocols to evaluate the functional capacity of participants, interpret assessment results for exercise prescription development, and appropriately risk stratify participants.
- Design and modify exercise programs in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation settings based on individual patient data that includes functional capacity, risk stratification, and patient goals using evidence-based guidelines. Additional elements of frequency, intensity, time, and type will be utilized for exercise program modification.
- Identify and address special considerations encountered by cardiopulmonary rehabilitation participants (e.g., secondary diagnoses and conditions) and how to adjust exercise programming, including scope of practice and consulting other multidisciplinary healthcare team members as needed.

Presented by Dr. Carl J. Lavie, MD

Description: During this presentation, Dr. Lavie will review the adverse effects of obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors and to increase the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. He will discuss the main factors that increase obesity in the first place, including fast foods, sugary beverages, but especially the progressive fall in physical activity over 5 decades. This presentation will define the obesity paradox and how this is impacted by physical activity and fitness and will describe the increase in cardiometabolic diseases associated with obesity and potential benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the adverse effects of obesity to increase CVD risk factors and prevalence of CVD.
2. Summarize the obesity paradox and how this is impacted by physical activity and fitness.
3. Describe the increase in cardiometabolic diseases and potential benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following each webinar. There is a 60-day viewing window for the recordings. This presentation series is sponsored by Novo Nordisk, Inc. This presentation is not offered for credits (CEUs).

This free webinar series, sponsored by Novo Nordisk Inc., is tailored to multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation professionals, and will consist of three, 60-minute live webinar presentations addressing weight management and guideline directed care in cardiovascular disease. Each live webinar will be recorded and offered on-demand in the AACVPR Learning Center. 

By participating in this webinar series, attendees will be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiological link between cardiometabolic disease and obesity.
2. Apply evidence-based strategies for enhancing cardiac rehabilitation adherence and reducing hospital readmissions.
3. Summarize the guideline-directed medical therapy in reducing and preventing major cardiovascular events and hospital readmissions.
4. Identify potential adverse effects of cardiovascular guideline-directed medical therapy.

Webinar Series Schedule: 

May 8, 2025 | Noon-1:00 p.m. CT | #1: Uncovering the Connection Between Cardiovascular Disease and Obesity | Carl J. Lavie Jr., MD
June 17, 2025 | Noon-1:00 p.m. CT | #2: Empowering Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients for Cardiovascular Health | Megan Hays, PhD
July 14, 2025 | 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT | #3: Guideline Directed Therapy on the Reduction of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events | Tracey Taveira, Pharm.D., CDOE, CVDOE

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following each webinar. There is a 60-day viewing window for the recordings. This presentation series is sponsored by Novo Nordisk, Inc. This presentation is not offered for credits (CEUs).

Presented by Franklin Zimmerman, MD, FAACVPR
No relevant disclosures.

1.00 AACVPR CEUs | 1.00 ANCC CEUs

Topics Covered in this Webinar: Chamber enlargement, Bundle branch block and axis deviation, Preexcitation, Pharmaceutical effects, QT syndromes, and Metabolic disorders.

Webinar Description: This webinar will cover a variety of ECG diagnoses including chamber enlargement, bundle branch block, axis deviation, preexcitation (WPW), and the effect of pharmaceuticals and metabolic derangements.

Webinar Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

1. Learn how to diagnose atrial and ventricular enlargement.
2. Recognize RBBB, LBBB, LAFB, LPHB.
3. Discuss preexcitation (WPW pattern).
4. Recognize QT prolongation.
5. Discuss the ECG effects of common electrolyte abnormalities.

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following the webinar. There is a 60 day viewing window for the recordings. 

Presented by Franklin Zimmerman, MD, FAACVPR
No relevant disclosures.

5.00 AACVPR CEUs | 5.00 ANCC CEUs

Overall Course Description: The AACVPR course in electrocardiography will provide the fundamentals of ECG interpretation and arrhythmia recognition necessary for the cardiac rehabilitation professional. Specifically designed for the cardiac rehabilitation environment, the course will cover six key areas. These will include: 1) Fundamental concepts of ECG electrophysiology and vectors, 2) Electrocardiography of acute and chronic coronary artery disease, 3) Arrhythmia interpretation, 4) Pacemaker electrocardiography,  5) Chamber enlargement, bundle branch block and preexcitation, 6) Pharmaceutical effects, QT syndromes and metabolic disorders. Educational materials and illustrations will be derived from Dr. Zimmerman’s textbook, ECG Core Curriculum, as well as from actual clinical cases.

Overall Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this course, attendees will be able to:
1. Describe the electrophysiologic basis for the normal ECG.
2. Properly identify and measure ECG intervals, segments and waves.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the vector concept and their relationship to ECG findings, avoiding reliance on pattern recognition.
4. Learn how to diagnose chronic coronary disease and differentiate acute coronary syndromes from “infarction imitators.”
5. Diagnose atrial and ventricular ectopic complexes, tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias.
6. Recognize chamber enlargement, bundle branch block and preexcitation.
7. Describe heart block and pacemaker electrocardiography.
8. Identify the effects of medications and metabolic disorders on the ECG.
9. Interpret tracings using a system of structured reporting.
10. Recognize “red flags” that warrant intervention or adjustment of exercise.

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following each webinar. There is a 60 day viewing window for the recordings. 

Presented by Laura Suarez Pardo, MD

1.00 AACVPR CEUs, 1.0 ANCC CEUs - pending

Description: This session will explore the evolution and impact of psychocardiology, highlighting its emergence as a critical field addressing the intersection of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and psychological distress. Participants will gain insights into key psychosocial stressors affecting CVD patients and learn how to apply screening tools and both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions to improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the session will emphasize the integration of psychosocial care into cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, underscoring its essential role in the early detection and management of mental health conditions to enhance overall cardiovascular and pulmonary health.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Explore the historical development of psychocardiology and its role in addressing psychological distress in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).  
2. Recognize and Manage Psychosocial Distress in CVD – Identify key areas of psychological distress in patients with CVD and review available screening tools, pharmacologic, and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies.  
3. Integrate Psychosocial Care into Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation (CPR) – Examine the core components of psychosocial management in CPR and its critical role in the early detection and intervention of mental health conditions.  

Presented by Franklin Zimmerman, MD, FAACVPR
No relevant disclosures.

1.00 AACVPR CEUs | 1.00 ANCC CEUs

Topics Covered in this Webinar: Ventricular arrhythmias, The basics of aberrancy and wide complex tachycardia, and Pacemaker/Device electrocardiography.

Webinar Description: This webinar will focus on ventricular arrhythmias and discuss basic concepts of aberrancy and wide complex tachycardia. It will conclude with a discussion of pacemaker electrocardiography. 

Webinar Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this course, webinar will be able to:

1. Recognize VPCs, ventricular tachyarrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and torsades de pointes.
2. Discuss a basic approach to aberrancy and wide complex tachycardia.
3. Discuss a normal and abnormal pacemaker function.

Recordings will be made available within 10 business days following the webinar. There is a 60 day viewing window for the recordings.