Heart to Heart Nurses

Heart to Heart Nurses

Heart to Heart Nurses is brought to you by the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. Each episode will provide you with knowledge and tools you can apply to the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease across the lifespan.

Episodes

June 15, 2026 20 mins

This episode explores how translational research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and real-world patient care, and highlights the nurse’s pivotal role in clinical trials. Tune in to guests Brittany Butts, PhD, RN, and Erin Ferranti, PhD, MPH, RN, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN, to learn how you can champion research, from participation to publication, and drive meaningful change in healthcare.

Link to the Cardiovascular Nursing...

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This episode equips nurses with practical tools to assess and manage patients with cardiometabolic risks like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Guests Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, PhD, MHS, RN, and Cindy Lamendola, MSN, NP, dive into the power of lifestyle changes to reduce these risks, while also breaking down the latest clinical guidelines and pharmacotherapies to keep your practice current and effective. 

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Guest James Norton, BSN, RN, FPCNA, describes the use of AI in nursing practice, focusing on Large Language Models (LLMs). James shares how to effectively craft a prompt to get the results you need whether you are looking for information on clinical references or guidelines, or drafting appeal letters for denied prior authorizations, and the importance of reviewing AI outputs with a critical eye. 

Related PCNA Resources: 

A...

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Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects 1 in 250 individuals, and genetic testing for patients and families is an important part of diagnosis and management. Guest Seth Martin, MD, reviews FH risk factors, at what ages and when genetic testing is recommended, and the roles of a genetic counselor and other team members.

Related resources:

NLA Statement on Genetic Testing: https://www.lipid.org/nla/genetic-testing-dyslipidemia 

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The mortality rate of cardiogenic shock is around 50%, so prevention and rapid treatment are critical to ensure improved patient outcomes. Guest Amy Shepard, BSN, MS, describes the stages of shock, what leads to cardiogenic shock, treatments, and communication strategies for patients and families.

References and Related Resources

SCAI Shock Pyramid

PCNA Heart Failure Pocket Guide

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With lifestyle identified as the first intervention in guideline-directed therapy, applying the pillars of lifestyle medicine into practice can help prevent cardiovascular disease from happening in the first place. Guest Ali Craig Rodriguez, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, DipACLM, describes the importance of partnering with patients to incorporate healthy behaviors to stave off or slow disease progression.

PCNA Heart Healthy Toolbox: https...

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April 7, 2026 17 mins

Learn how providing nutrition-based interventions can complement other treatments, address food insecurity, and help reduce patient risks for cardiovascular disease. Guest Bunmi Ogungbe, PhD, MPH, FN, FAHA, FPCNA. describes produce prescriptions, cultural tailoring, cooking skills, and the importance of policies that support access to healthy foods.

Related resources: 

1115 Demonstration Waiver (CMS): https://www.medicaid.gov/me...

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Engaging education helps to improve knowledge and skills retention by nurses at every stage of their career. Learn how to gamify information in clinical settings as well as classrooms--and how the same techniques can also assist patient learning.

Guest: Megan ­­­Webber, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN 

PCNA Patient Education Resources: https://pcna.net/resources/patient-education/ 

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Sharing stories about the work nurses do carries weight with decision-makers. Guest Kristan Langdon, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, CPHQ, emphasizes the importance of communicating your first-hand experiences in compelling conversations at the local, regional, state, and national level.

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March 3, 2026 43 mins

A diagnosis of HCM impacts mental as well as physical health. Hear from Lora Peppard, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC on interventions that nurses can use to support patients with HCM and lead to improved quality of life, adherence, and long-term health outcomes.

Related resources:

HCM & Mental Health: https://www.4hcm.org/hcm-and-mental-health 

American Psychiatric Nurses Association connection paradigm

Spirituality wellness assessments

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February 17, 2026 18 mins

Utilizing shared decision-making in the diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can support positive outcomes for patients, family members and caregivers. Guests Kim Hecker, BSN, BA, RN, and Jillian Thorne, describe the process, and the impacts across all stages of the patient journey. 

References and related resources:

2024 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of HCM

Twice the Heart Foundation: https://www.instag...

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Review the latest clinical guidelines on LDL-C reduction, especially for your patients with diabetes. Guest Susan Halli Demeter, DNP, CNP, NP, also reflects on how engaging patients in shared decision-making aids in treatment adherence and identifies potential barriers to address, including polypharmacy, access, and other issues.

References and Related Resources:

PCNA Lipid resources for providers and patients

PCNA Diabetes resources ...

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Earlier ASCVD risk reduction is better--particularly for patients with diabetes. Guest Lisa Maher, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, FPCNA, discusses the importance of reviewing family history, and shares strategies for decision-making in primary and secondary risk reduction strategies asuch as lowering LDL-C, blood glucose, hypertension, smoking, and other factors.

Related Resources: 

PCNA Lipid resources for providers and patients

PCNA Diabet...

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What can we be doing to reduce LDL-C to decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease, particularly in our patients with diabetes? Learn from Margo B. Minissian, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAAN about the role of high blood sugar in cardiovascular disease, effective strategies for lowering LDL-C, and the importance of early treatment.

Related Resources:

PCNA Lipid Resources for Providers and Patients

PCNA Diabetes Resources for Providers...

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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease in the US. Guest James Norton, BSN, RN, shares the hallmark signs and symptoms, and describes how shared decision-making in the care of patients with HCM from diverse populations.

Related resources:

AHA HCM sudden cardiac death risk calculator: https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/hcm-risk-calculator

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January 6, 2026 15 mins

Guest Keri Barron, PhD, RN, CNE, shares ideas for improving cardiovascular outcomes for Black women. This includes individual actions such as preparation for clinical encounters and self-advocacy, as well as larger-scale initiatives like research and community outreach.

Resources & References:

PCNA articles: 

Faith-Based Cardiovascular Health. https://pcna.net/news/faith-based-cardiovascular-health/

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Patients with cardiomyopathy may benefit from virtual patient support groups. Guest Andrea Linder, RN, MSN, CCRC, FPCNA, describes a successful model, with sessions that include both information and opportunities to share their questions and experiences. Andrea also discusses recent clinical trials and the impact of mavacamten on disease management.

Related PCNA Resources:

Patient Education Tool on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: h...

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Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome leads to poor health outcomes, and is affecting individuals at younger and younger ages. The PREVENT calculator helps identify individuals earlier in the disease progression, allowing time for intervientions that may lead to a regression on the stages of CKM. Guest Chiadi Ndumele, MD, PhD. also describes shared decision-making, and value- and volume-based care models.

PREVENT calculator...

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Afib is on the rise with significant effects on morbidity and mortality. The stagnation of blood in the left atrium and left atrial appendage (LAA) places patients at risk for thromboembolism and stroke. By ligating or closing off the LAA, the risk can be significantly reduced. This intervention offers a valuable alternative to medication, improving safety and quality of life for patients through a minimally invasive, durable strok...

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Afib is on the rise with significant effects on morbidity and mortality. Afib is a progressive disease with various treatment methods to match to your patients' risk factors and health goals. Stroke prevention is a crucial risk factor to evaluate on the progressive journey of a patient experiencing Afib. Learn more about the assessment and identification of patients with Afib at risk for stroke and next steps in prevention.

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