WHEN | Thursday, February 23, 2023 @ Noon

WHERE | Zoom Webinar

REGISTRATION | Zoom Registration Here
CONTINUING EDUCATION | This webinar will offer 1 CE Credit

Presented by Jeffrey P. Christy, MD & Amy Durako, AGACNP (Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP)

IV drug use and the consumption of alcohol can have devastating effects on the cardiovascular system. Approximately 90% of patients with right-sided infective endocarditis (IE) are people who inject drugs and long-term, excess alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of secondary dilated cardiomyopathy. 

During the webinar we will discuss infective endocarditis due to IV drug use and alcoholic cardiomyopathy with a focus on the mechanism of disease, signs & symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Case studies will be presented and there will be time for Q&A throughout the talk.  

Learner objectives: 
At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: 

• Recognize at-risk populations
• Identify clinical manifestations of IE and alcoholic cardiomyopathy
• Discuss diagnostic criteria and differential diagnoses
• Review management strategies and outcomes 

Register Here!

The circulatory system is one of the body’s most essential systems. The heart muscle works with arteries, veins, capillaries and ventricles to pump blood throughout your body, delivering blood, oxygen and nutrients to your organs so they can function properly. Maintaining heart health is essential to living a long, healthy life, so protecting your heart is vital.

Alcohol use can significantly affect heart health and lead to health issues such as high blood pressure and increased heart rate. Over time, alcohol’s effects can increase your risk of serious heart conditions such as stroke, heart attack, weakened heart muscle and congenital heart failure.

Protecting your circulatory system from the damaging effects of alcohol can result in a lower risk of heart disease. Continue reading to learn about alcohol consumption, heart health and how you can protect your heart from the effects of alcohol.

Read the full blog post –>

Recovering from the effects of drug and alcohol misuse is a process and a lifelong journey. It goes beyond the act of eliminating substances of misuse from your system to building a strong foundation for a healthier way of life and the positive behaviors that go along with it. You already know that using substances damages the body. During active addiction, you likely got used to feeling groggy, exhausted and ill and accepted it as a part of your life. Can the body heal after prolonged substance use? Understanding the long-term physical effects of misuse is the first step toward healing.

Many people who use drugs or alcohol don’t realize these substances can cause severe harm to the heart and cardiovascular system. Chronic substance use can lead to:

• Abnormal heart rate
• Arrhythmia
• Heart attack

Read the full blog post –>