Managing Coronary Artery Disease

Nonpharmacological interventions are important in managing the risks of coronary artery disease (CAD). These interventions include behavioral changes where at-risk individuals adopt healthier lifestyles. Pharmacological interventions have also proven to be effective methods of escalating the treatment of metabolic risks. Antihypertensive medications effectively reduce blood pressure, cardioprotective drugs reduce blood glucose, and statin and non-statin medications are effective at lowering lipoproteins. In this course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), you will consider various nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment options for individuals who are at high risk of heart disease. You will also explore the knowledge, psychological, and socioeconomic barriers that impact an individual’s ability or desire to successfully implement behavioral changes for reducing their risk of CAD. This course will provide you with tools and strategies that both individuals and their healthcare providers can utilize to improve patient engagement and outcomes. 3b

• How to determine nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments for individuals with hypertension, lipid disorders, and type 2 diabetes.
• How to recommend a treatment plan to achieve healthy levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
• How to recognize the barriers to behavior change.
• How to determine which behavior change approaches promote cardiovascular health.
• How to recommend behavior change strategies and tools to reduce an individual’s risk of CAD.