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Cardiovascular Disease Essentials in Acute Care: A Public Health Crisis

Presented by Kristen Keech and Jessica Asiello

Cardiovascular Disease Essentials in Acute Care: A Public Health Crisis

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, posing a significant public health crisis that intersects with nearly every area of clinical practice. This course equips acute care providers with essential knowledge of the epidemiological, physiological, and social dimensions of CVD and their impact on patient care. Participants will explore current data on prevalence and hospitalizations, gain insight into both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors, and understand how social determinants of health shape cardiovascular outcomes. With a strong emphasis on interprofessional collaboration, prevention strategies, and acute care best practices, the course prepares clinicians to effectively manage CVD in high-acuity settings while promoting long-term wellness and recovery. This content is relevant for providers working in emergency departments, ICUs, telemetry units, inpatient rehabilitation, and other acute or transitional care settings.

Learning Objectives
  • List current U.S. data on the incidence, prevalence, and hospitalizations related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and conclude how these trends impact both individual care and public health strategies
  • Identify modifiable and non-modifiable CVD risk factors and apply to clinical assessment and intervention
  • Recognize how social determinants of health—such as food security, income level, and neighborhood environment—correlate with CVD risk and patient outcomes
  • Adapt care plans to integrate both rehabilitation and recovery strategies as well as wellness and prevention-focused approaches when caring for patients with CVD
  • Distinguish between levels of care across the cardiac continuum (e.g. ED, ICU, step down, floor, inpatient rehab, home health, outpatient cardiac rehab)
  • Categorize interprofessional team members' roles to support collaborative cardiac patient management

Meet your instructors

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Kristen Keech

Dr. Kristen Keech is an occupational therapist passionate about advancing care and advocating for survivors of brain injury. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is recognized as a…

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Jessica Asiello

Jessica Asiello is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the MGH Institute for Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts. She primarily teaches in the online postprofessional OTD program. Her clinical practice is in acute care at…

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Chapters & learning objectives

The Public Health Crisis of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

1. The Public Health Crisis of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

This chapter outlines the alarming scope of cardiovascular disease in the U.S., emphasizing its impact on both individuals and population health. Participants will review the anatomy of a healthy heart and examine various types of CVD, including structural, electrical, muscular, and pressure-related conditions. The content also highlights how CVD contributes to functional decline, multimorbidity, and rising healthcare costs, reinforcing the urgency of addressing this crisis in acute care environments.

Biological and Socioecological Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

2. Biological and Socioecological Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

This chapter explores the spectrum of risk factors for CVD, from genetics and aging to modifiable behaviors and social determinants of health. Clinicians will learn how to assess and address factors such as stress, inflammation, environmental exposures, and health literacy in the acute care setting. By understanding how these elements interact with lifestyle and access to care, providers can better tailor interventions and advocate for equitable cardiovascular health.

Best Practice Implications for the Assessment and Intervention of Acute Care CVD Patients

3. Best Practice Implications for the Assessment and Intervention of Acute Care CVD Patients

This chapter focuses on the complexities of managing CVD in acute and critical care settings, emphasizing accurate assessment, interprofessional collaboration, and early discharge planning. Participants will revisit fundamentals such as vital sign monitoring and blood pressure measurement, while also learning strategies to promote self-care, prevent complications, and coordinate post-acute services. The chapter reinforces the importance of both restorative and preventive approaches in cardiac care.