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).

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 Virend K. Somers, MD, PhD; Naima Covassin, PhD

Description: The presenters will provide an overview of sleep apnea epidemiology, clinical presentation and cardiovascular implications. Additionally, they will also discuss how sleep disorders may impact cardiac rehabilitation outcomes. 

Learning Objectives:  

1. To review the prevalence and cardiovascular implications of sleep apnea. 
2. To explore the effects of sleep apnea therapy on cardiovascular outcomes.
3. To examine how sleep disorders may impact patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. 

Presented by: Michael See, MS, CDCES, ACSM-CEP, NBC-HWC

No relevant disclosures. 

1.00 AACVPR CEUs, 1.00 ANCC CEUs pending 

Description: Diabetes is a complex and prevalent condition in populations eligible for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR). A significant disparity exists in the uptake and adherence of CR programs between people with and without diabetes. This webinar will update CR practitioners to factors associated with increased cardiovascular risk, patient assessment strategies, advances in diabetes-related technology, and recommendations for improving participation outcomes and optimizing glycemic control around exercise. 

Learning Objectives: 

The learner will be able to describe the different types of diabetes and summarize different approaches to patient evaluation and assessment. 
The learner will explain the challenges and opportunities that people living with diabetes experience when participating in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
The learner will explain the seven diabetes self-care behaviors and how they can help their patients improve their self-management. 
The learner will discuss various diabetes-related technologies and their use in optimizing glycemic control in the CR settings.

Presented by Dr. Carl J. Lavie, MD

Description: During this presentation, recorded as a live webinar in May 2025, 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.

Viewing Window: 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 Laura Suarez Pardo, MD

This session, recorded in April 2025,  explores 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.  

Viewing window: 60 days from date of purchase. 

Presented by: Carmen M. Terzic, MD, PhD

1.00 AACVPR CEUs; 1.00 ANCC CEUs 

Description: In this session, released as a webinar in March 2025, discusses frailty, presented by Dr. Carmen Terzic. Frailty is a biological syndrome that reflects a state of decreased physiological reserve, function and increased vulnerability to stressors. Frailty is associated with higher mortality, disability, and hospitalization in the cardiac population. It is critical to identify frail and vulnerable patients and adapt their assessment and intervention plan within the frame of primary and secondary prevention of CVDs. Cardiac rehab is well positioned to counteract frailty and its consequences.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Define frailty
2. Discuss available tools to assess frailty 
3. Describe frailty and its relationship with cardiovascular diseases
4. Discuss the management of frailty in cardiac rehabilitation (CR)

Viewing window: 60 days from date of purchase.

Presented by Gregory Scharf, BS, ACSM-CEP, AACVPR-CCRP 

No relevant disclosures.

1.00 AACVPR CEUs, 1.00 ANCC CEUs

Description: This presentation, released as a recorded webinar in 2025, will address that vast variations of the placement of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Programs in an organizational structure and how these structures can negative and/or positively impact program operations and sustainability. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will be able to describe organizational structures and determine how it positively and/or negatively impacts Cardiac and/or Pulmonary Rehab operations.
2. Participants will be able to identify opportunities to best support Cardiac and/or Pulmonary Rehab programs in current organizational landscape.
3. Participants will be able to differentiate between emotional and rational decision making. 

Viewing Window: 60 days from date of purchase.

Presented by Jonathan David, MSN, RN, EBP-C, CCRP, NE-BC, FPCNA, FAACVPR, FACC; Yvette Gerdes, MS; Megan Gross, MPH, CHES, ACSM-CEP; Kasey Jepsen-Large, MA, ACSM-CEP, CCRP; Lori Pestano, RN, BSN; Adrianna Williams, DNP, FNP-BC
No relevant disclosures.

1.00 AACVPR CEUs

Description: This webinar, released as a recorded webinar in 2025, will highlight a series of case studies where cardiopulmonary staff have created programming or lead a team in situations without a title.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Discuss innovation and problem-solving skills. 
2. Develop influence and communication skills. 
3. Support professional growth and development. 

Viewing Window: 60 days from date of purchase.