Obesity as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: Assessment and Management (webcourse)

Obesity is a growing public health crisis. Obesity directly and indirectly (through comorbid conditions) leads to CVD, HF, and conduction defects that cause arrhythmias such as AF and SCD. Multiple guidelines for are available for managing obesity. All have similar recommendations to begin with lifestyle changes and counseling, with the addition of pharmacotherapy if needed. Most patients, especially those with severe obesity and/or comorbid conditions, will need long-term pharmacotherapy. Recent trials have shown clear benefits of weight loss on cardiac disease and CV comorbidities. Newer agents approved for managing obesity had positive CV outcomes in diabetes trials and there are ongoing CV outcomes trials for weight loss medications.

Obesity is an epidemic that has serious adverse effects on patients seen by cardiologists. The educational program “Obesity as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: Assessment and Management” will inform cardiologists about the effects of obesity on CVD, HF, and dysrhythmias and the benefit of weight loss, the efficacy and safety of agents FDA-approved to manage obesity and provide guidelines for starting and intensifying obesity treatment through shared decision making with patients.

Jointly provided by the Potomac Center for Medical Education and Rockpointe

Supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk.