Nutrition & Cardiovascular Health (2026-2028)

Overview

More than 2100 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day – one death every 40 seconds. This is a tragic but not surprising statistic given the national prevalence of metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. Eighty percent of premature heart disease could be prevented through diet and lifestyle. Clinicians must be able to effectively counsel patients about the many nutritional factors that can prevent heart disease, yet few physicians feel they have adequate training in nutrition.

Needs Assessment

This course provides straightforward, clinically relevant information for understanding how carbohydrates and fats affect lipids, the evidence behind low glycemic load diets, the cardio-protective effects of key micronutrients and phytochemicals, and much more. The best strategy for health and resiliency is to design a nutritional plan for patients that addresses their specific health needs while encouraging a whole food diet that does not deny them the pleasures of eating. This course will give you the knowledge and understanding necessary to do just that.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe key risk factors for heart disease in order to identify patients who could possibly benefit from dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
  • Identify integrative approaches for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease.
  • Understand how macronutrients affect CVD risks such as lipids and insulin resistance.
  • Recommend dietary approaches that optimize glycemic load.
  • Describe fundamental components of heart-healthy diets, including the Mediterranean and DASH diets, along with updates on ketogenic, gluten-free, and time-restricted eating patterns, among others.
  • Identify nutritional approaches for conditions that affect CVD risk including hypertension, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome.
  • Discuss nutritional deficiencies specific to patients with heart failure.
  • Discuss the potential risks and benefits of dietary supplements and botanicals commonly used in the prevention and/or treatment of heart disease to help patients make better healthcare choices.
  • Develop guidance for patients that leads to healthy dietary and lifestyle changes.

Target Audience

Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and dietitians.

Curriculum

  • Introduction to Nutrition & Cardiovascular Health
  • Integrative Approaches
  • The Role of Nutrition in Cardiovascular Health
  • Specific Diets
  • Nutrition and Hypertension
  • Nutrition and Dyslipdemia
  • Nutrition and Metabolic Syndrome
  • Nutrition and Heart Failure
  • Clinical Applications
  • Course Exam

Completion Requirements

Complete all the coursework, course evaluation, and the course exam with a score of 70% or better. You are allowed unlimited re-attempts. Upon successful completion, you will be able to print your certificate of completion.

Nutrition and Cardiovascular Health (2026 - 2028)
Disclosure & Credit Information

COM CME

Physicians

ACCME/AMA PRA Accreditation and CME Designation Statement

The University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine — Tucson designates this enduring material for a maximum of 16.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Current CME Approval Period: July 31, 2026 - July 30, 2028

Date of Most Recent Review: May 14, 2026

Nurses

Nursing Continuing Professional Development Information

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

16.5 NCPD Contact Hours for RNs

Current Approval Period — NCPD: July 31, 2026 - July 30, 2028

Completion Requirements

This course includes an assessment that you must answer 70% correctly or above in order to receive credit for participation. You are allowed unlimited re-attempts.

Relevant Financial Relationships Disclosure Information

University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Dr. Kominos has disclosed the following: referral commission, Fullscript.

All other faculty, CME Planning Committee Members, and the CME Office Reviewers have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity.

Commercial Support

There is no commercial support for this activity.

Faculty / Authors

Vivian Kominos, MD; Integrative Cardiologist at Kominos Integrative Cardiology, LLC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Tamara Steinitz, MS, RDN; Professor Emeritus Utah State University Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences, Former Director Didactic Program in Dietetics Utah State University

Priscilla Abercrombie, RN, PhD, AHN-BC; Founder, Women's Health & Healing Integrative Health Coach

Planning Committee

Vivian Kominos, MD; Integrative Cardiologist at Kominos Integrative Cardiology, LLC, Clinical Assistant Professor, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Molly K. Burke, MFA, CMT; Director of Online Education, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Elizabeth Knight, PhD, DNP, FNP-C; Integrative Health Coach, Flower Power Health and Nurse Practitioner, Reed College

Copyright

All rights reserved - Arizona Board of Regents.