The PREVENT Clinic - A risk-factor reduction program for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
May 24, 2025 from 2:40pm EST to 3:10pm EST
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality in Canada. Modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, are common conditions leading to an increased risk of ASCVD. Evidence-based CV risk reduction models help guide clinicians to estimate ASCVD risk in adults 40-75 yrs old, and can help guide pharmacological and non-pharmacological management decisions, to lower CV risk. Long-term patient adherence to guideline recommendations are enhanced by shared decision making, and by leveraging support of a multi-disciplinary team. St. Mary’s General Hospital Regional Cardiac Care Centre in Kitchener launched a nurse practitioner (NP)-led CV risk-factor reduction program, called the PREVENT clinic, where patients receive a clinical assessment with a NP, and have access to the multidisciplinary cardiac rehab team, for guidance on evidence-based heart-healthy diet modifications, exercise therapy with an individualized exercise prescription, smoking cessation and social work support.
The purpose of this workshop is to review the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Guidelines. We will discuss gaps, and review barriers to ASCVD risk reduction in the high-risk patient. Using a case-based approach, the presenters will discuss how a NP-lead PREVENT clinic can reduce common modifiable CV risk factors. Presenters will outline strategies that nurses can apply when educating patients and their families. Case studies will compare and contrast the 2023 PEER simplified lipid guidelines with the 2021 Cardiovascular Society (CCS) lipid guidelines, as well as highlight limitations of standard CV risk reduction models.
Speakers / Panelists
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The PREVENT Clinic - A risk-factor reduction program for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
May 24, 2025 from 2:40pm EST to 3:10pm EST -
The PREVENT Clinic - A risk-factor reduction program for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
May 24, 2025 from 2:40pm EST to 3:10pm EST
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 K
NP
Julie K
Julie K
NP
Julie Kim graduated with her BScN from Laurentian University in Sudbury in 1992. She worked as a Cardiac critical care nurse at the University Health Network and St. Michael’s hospital in Toronto from 1993-2000. She completed her Master of Nursing and Acute Care NP program from the University of Toronto in 2000 and became the first NP in Cardiology at St. Michael's Hospital.
Julie and her husband move to Kitchener Waterloo to work for the Regional Cardiac Center at St. Mary’s General hospital in 2003, where she continues to work as an acute care NP.
She is very passionate about education and has been teaching both formally and informally her entire career.
Julie also teaches part-time as a Coronary Care instructor at Humber college.