Program
Workshop: Demystifying lipids – Understanding why lower is better
May 24, 2024 from 9:40am MDT to 10:30am MDT
One of the main goals following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event, is to prevent recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events, thus reducing CV morbidity and mortality. Elevated LDL-C levels are an important modifiable risk factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The initial 2–3-month period following an ACS admission is a vulnerable period for recurrent CV events. Early initiation of moderate to high intensity statin therapy is recommended to reduce recurrent CV events. The 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) lipid guidelines recommended LDL-C <1.8mmol/L as the threshold for which intensification of lipid-lowering therapy should occur. There is robust evidence that adding non-statin therapies such as ezetimibe and/or PCSK9 inhibitors can further aid in LDL-C reduction. Unfortunately, 15 out of 100 patients report statin-related muscle symptoms, but research shows only one case is directly related to statin use. Evidence reports that up to 50% of patients stop their statin therapy within the first year of treatment. The purpose of this workshop is to review the 2021 CCS lipid lowering guidelines for secondary prevention, discuss the gaps and barriers in lipid management post-ACS, and the opportunities nurses have in improving evidenced-based cardiovascular risk reduction with education on why ‘lower is better’. The presenters will review a case study with practical tips on managing statin intolerance, and how we as nurses can educate our patients on the importance of adherence to their prescribed lipid lowering therapy to reduce recurrent CV risk.
Speakers / Panelists
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Workshop: Demystifying lipids – Understanding why lower is better
May 24, 2024 from 9:40am MDT to 10:30am MDT -
Workshop: Demystifying lipids – Understanding why lower is better
May 24, 2024 from 9:40am MDT to 10:30am MDT
Sarah Beingessner
NP
Sarah Beingessner
Sarah Beingessner
NP
Sarah Beingessner graduated with her BScN from McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, in 2000. Her first nursing position was at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, as a Cardiac Surgery staff nurse, and a few years later, as a Cardiac Surgery and Coronary Angioplasty Case Manager. She also worked for 6 months at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as a program consultant, managing the cardiac portfolio for the province of Ontario. In this secondment role, she oversaw funding of cardiac procedures and surgeries, as well as managing implementation of new cardiac programs in the province. Other cardiac working experience includes case management of arrhythmia referrals and pacemaker/ICD implantations at St. Mary’s Hospital.She completed her primary care nurse practitioner diploma in 2019, and currently works at St. Mary’s General Hospital, as a nurse practitioner in the cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention program and providing clinical support to the TAVI and Structural heart program. Sarah also works on a casual basis as a primary care nurse practitioner at a local Family Health Team. She is passionate about patient education, and providing pragmatic care in an evidenced-based, guideline-directed manner.
Sarah currently lives in Waterloo Ontario with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, and reading.
Julie Kim
NP
Julie Kim
Julie Kim
NP
Julie Kim graduated with her BScN from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario in 1992. Shortly after graduation she completed her Cardiac Care certification from Humber college. Between 1993-2000 she worked as a cardiovascular ICU nurse at the University Health Network and St. Michael’s hospital in Toronto. She finished her Master of Nursing/Nurse Practitioner program from the University of Toronto in 2000 and has been practicing as an acute care Cardiology NP for 23 years.
Julie was the first NP in Cardiology at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and in 2003 she and her family moved to Kitchener Waterloo to work for the Regional Cardiac Center at St. Mary’s General hospital. She is very passionate about nursing education and have been teaching both formally and informally her entire career.
Julie also teaches part-time as a Coronary Care instructor at Humber college.