Cardiovascular Disease for the Primary Care Physician 2027

1. Analyze data from recent landmark clinical trials (e.g., SELECT) evaluating the impact of GLP1 receptor agonists on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Evaluate the role of GLP1 therapies in managing specific obesityrelated cardiovascular phenotypes, such as Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Integrate GLP1 receptor agonists into the comprehensive management of patients presenting with the intersection of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Counsel patients effectively on the longterm nature of GLP1 therapy for obesity as a chronic disease, aligning expectation regarding weight management and sustained cardiovascular benefits.
2. Review the risk associated with not meeting goal blood pressure. Review what goal blood pressure is in 2026 and why. Review what we should be doing for those resistant to getting to goal
3. To identify patients with rheumatologic illness who are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. To implement the proper screening tools in this subset of patients. To review the medications used to treat this population that may further increase cardiometabolic risk
4. Risk stratify patients with new onset atrial fibrillation in outpatient setting. Review CHADSVASC score in anticoagulation management. Discuss emergency room management in atrial fibrillation.
5. Distinguish hemodynamic eGFR dips from true acute kidney injury (AKI) during initiation and titration of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) in heart failure. Describe the mechanisms by which each pillar of GDMT (ARNI, SGLT2i, betablockers, MRA) affects glomerular hemodynamics and tubular function. Apply evidencebased thresholds (e.g., <30% vs. 30% eGFR decline) to guide clinical decisionmaking regarding GDMT continuation, dose adjustment, or temporary discontinuation. Recognize therapeutic inertia driven by renal biomarker changes as a major barrier to optimal heart failure care, particularly in patients with coexisting CKD. Implement a practical monitoring and management algorithm for kidney function during GDMT optimization across the spectrum of eGFR.
6. Review the key takeaways of the 2026 Dyslipidemia guidelines. Describe how to use the PREVENT risk calculator in assessing cardiovascular risk. Describe the role of Apolipoprotein B and Lp(a) in assessing cardiovascular risk based on the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines.
7. Review sleep breathing disorders and their association with their cardiovascular disease. Discuss sleep medicine interventions to help treat sleep breathing disorders including CPAP, noninvasive ventilation, medications, oral appliances and airway surgeries. Discuss pathways to improve adherence to therapies. Discuss nonsleep breathing disorders and their impact on CV health.
8. Review the role of Cardiac CT and CTA in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Review the current ACCAHA chest pain guidelines and the role of coronary CTA in the evaluation. Discuss the patient preparation required prior to scan and the interpretation of the results.

1. Analyze data from recent landmark clinical trials (e.g., SELECT) evaluating the impact of GLP1 receptor agonists on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Evaluate the role of GLP1 therapies in managing specific obesityrelated cardiovascular phenotypes, such as Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Integrate GLP1 receptor agonists into the comprehensive management of patients presenting with the intersection of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Counsel patients effectively on the longterm nature of GLP1 therapy for obesity as a chronic disease, aligning expectation regarding weight management and sustained cardiovascular benefits. (Knowledge)
2. Review the risk associated with not meeting goal blood pressure. Review what goal blood pressure is in 2026 and why. Review what we should be doing for those resistant to getting to goal (Knowledge)
3. To identify patients with rheumatologic illness who are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. To implement the proper screening tools in this subset of patients. To review the medications used to treat this population that may further increase cardiometabolic risk (Knowledge)
4. Risk stratify patients with new onset atrial fibrillation in outpatient setting. Review CHADSVASC score in anticoagulation management. Discuss emergency room management in atrial fibrillation. (Knowledge)
5. Distinguish hemodynamic eGFR dips from true acute kidney injury (AKI) during initiation and titration of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) in heart failure. Describe the mechanisms by which each pillar of GDMT (ARNI, SGLT2i, betablockers, MRA) affects glomerular hemodynamics and tubular function. Apply evidencebased thresholds (e.g., <30% vs. 30% eGFR decline) to guide clinical decisionmaking regarding GDMT continuation, dose adjustment, or temporary discontinuation. Recognize therapeutic inertia driven by renal biomarker changes as a major barrier to optimal heart failure care, particularly in patients with coexisting CKD. Implement a practical monitoring and management algorithm for kidney function during GDMT optimization across the spectrum of eGFR. (Knowledge)
6. Review the key takeaways of the 2026 Dyslipidemia guidelines. Describe how to use the PREVENT risk calculator in assessing cardiovascular risk. Describe the role of Apolipoprotein B and Lp(a) in assessing cardiovascular risk based on the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines. (Knowledge)
7. Review sleep breathing disorders and their association with their cardiovascular disease. Discuss sleep medicine interventions to help treat sleep breathing disorders including CPAP, noninvasive ventilation, medications, oral appliances and airway surgeries. Discuss pathways to improve adherence to therapies. Discuss nonsleep breathing disorders and their impact on CV health. (Knowledge)
8. Review the role of Cardiac CT and CTA in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Review the current ACCAHA chest pain guidelines and the role of coronary CTA in the evaluation. Discuss the patient preparation required prior to scan and the interpretation of the results. (Knowledge)
9. By the end of this program, 75% of participants will state that they will be able to apply at least one thing they have learned to their practice. (Knowledge)

1. Analyze data from recent landmark clinical trials (e.g., SELECT) evaluating the impact of GLP1 receptor agonists on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Evaluate the role of GLP1 therapies in managing specific obesityrelated cardiovascular phenotypes, such as Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Integrate GLP1 receptor agonists into the comprehensive management of patients presenting with the intersection of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Counsel patients effectively on the longterm nature of GLP1 therapy for obesity as a chronic disease, aligning expectation regarding weight management and sustained cardiovascular benefits.
2. Review the risk associated with not meeting goal blood pressure. Review what goal blood pressure is in 2026 and why. Review what we should be doing for those resistant to getting to goal.
3. To identify patients with rheumatologic illness who are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. To implement the proper screening tools in this subset of patients. To review the medications used to treat this population that may further increase cardiometabolic risk.
4. Distinguish hemodynamic eGFR dips from true acute kidney injury (AKI) during initiation and titration of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) in heart failure. Describe the mechanisms by which each pillar of GDMT (ARNI, SGLT2i, betablockers, MRA) affects glomerular hemodynamics and tubular function. Apply evidencebased thresholds (e.g., <30% vs. 30% eGFR decline) to guide clinical decisionmaking regarding GDMT continuation, dose adjustment, or temporary discontinuation. Recognize therapeutic inertia driven by renal biomarker changes as a major barrier to optimal heart failure care, particularly in patients with coexisting CKD. Implement a practical monitoring and management algorithm for kidney function during GDMT optimization across the spectrum of eGFR.
5. 1. Review the key takeways of the 2026 Dyslipidemia guideliness. 2. Use of the PREVENT calculator in assessing cardiovascular risk. 3. Role of Apolipoprotein B and Lp(a) in the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines
6. Review the key takeaways of the 2026 Dyslipidemia guidelines. Describe how to use the PREVENT risk calculator in assessing cardiovascular risk. Describe the role of Apolipoprotein B and Lp(a) in assessing cardiovascular risk based on the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines.
7. Review sleep breathing disorders and their association with their cardiovascular disease. Discuss sleep medicine interventions to help treat sleep breathing disorders including CPAP, noninvasive ventilation, medications, oral appliances and airway surgeries. Discuss pathways to improve adherence to therapies. Discuss nonsleep breathing disorders and their impact on CV health.
8. 1. Review the role of Cardiac CT and CTA in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. 2. Review the current ACCAHA chest pain guidelines and the role of coronary CTA in the evaluation. 3.Discuss the patient preparation required prior to scan and the interpretation of the results.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is accredited by the Pennsylvania Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  Lehigh Valley Health Network designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the educational activity.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Completion Criteria: Registered Nurses attending the entire program will receive 4 Contact Hour(s).

Cancellation Policy

Please send cancellation requests to [email protected]. 

Lehigh Valley Health Network reserves the right to cancel or postpone this program if necessary; in the event of cancellation, course fees will be fully refunded. We are not responsible for other costs incurred such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel penalties.

Accessibility Statement
 
Lehigh Valley Health Network is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME Conference Coordinator.

Lehigh Valley Health Network adheres to ACCME Criteria, Standards and Policies regarding industry support of continuing medical education. Disclosure of faculty and their commercial relationships will be made prior to the activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Saturday, January 30, 2027