Global Cardiovascular Nursing Leaders Unite in Budapest to Tackle CVD Prevention
In October 2024, more than two dozen healthcare professionals from 11 countries met in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss best practices and local applications of clinical work, advocacy, and leadership to continue to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The Growing Role of Cardiovascular Nursing in Global Health
Cardiovascular nursing across the globe continues to address the complex needs of patients, and their families and caregivers. Nurses continue to make a significant positive impact on those at risk for, or with, CVD, which continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. By mobilizing these professionals through research, advocacy, and education, enhancing and expanding nursing roles within the care team to address workforce shortages, and continuing to implement effective guideline-based strategies to reduce risk and improve patient outcomes, the Global Cardiovascular Nurses Association (GCNLF) and Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) aim to support the World Heart Federation’s Vision 2030 to reduce cardiovascular mortality and incidence by at least 30% by 2030.
Following an introductory presentation on GCNLF by Nancy Houston Miller, RN, BSN, FAHA, FPCNA, The Big Picture of Cardiovascular Prevention and Management: Past and Future Changes and Challenges was covered by Salim Virani, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FASPC. While CVD is highly preventable, global deaths from CVD continue to increase, and ample opportunities remain to effectively address modifiable risk factors, even at primordial stages.
Next, a panel moderated by Erin Ferranti, PhD, MPH, Challenges in CVD Prevention for Nursing: Exemplars of Innovations, included presentations by three panelists, each describing a particular challenge and how the challenge was addressed. Panelists included: Thomas Hinneh, MSCIH, BScN, RN, MSN; Maria Teresa Lifa, RN, BVNS, FPCNA, and Lis Neubeck, PhD, BA (Hons), RN, FRSE, FESC, FIPC (Hon.).
Attendees then applied the information covered by engaging in small group discussions around the key challenges and opportunities nurses face globally in preventing and managing CVD. Each group then reported to all attendees.
Priority Setting for Global Cardiovascular Nursing
On Day 2, Laura Hayman, MSN, PhD, FAAN, FAHA, FPCNA, FSMB, recapped Day 1 and highlighted the top 5 priorities for the group.
The Importance of Cross-Disciplinary Partnerships was then presented by Monica Parry, NP-Adult, PhD, FAAN, FCAN, FAHA. Dr. Parry’s presentation focused on international CVD priorities by WHO and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, cross-disciplinary partnerships, including the barriers and benefits of collaboration, and a call to action on international research.
Strengths of the GCNLF meeting included the opportunity for breakout groups for several discussion points on Day 2:
- How strategies such as knowledge enhancement, leadership, advocacy, partnerships, and others can be utilized to address critical challenges
- Which individuals, roles, and organizations can be mobilized to tackle current challenges effectively
- Activating GCNLF for the future: identifying priorities and action items for the next two years
What’s Next for GCNLF and PCNA in 2025?
As a result of the presentations and discussions, attendees identified the following potential strategies for GCNLF for 2024-2026.
- Continue the process of submissions for presentations at international conferences, including joint sessions with ACNAP
- An open-invitation virtual GCNLF meeting is planned for October 2025
- Internationally focused episodes for PCNA’s Heart to Heart Nurses podcast
- Promotion and potential new content for the Cardiovascular Nursing Certificate Program
- Promotion of the latest GCNLF Nursing Call to Action resource
Global Partnerships Supporting Cardiovascular Nursing Leadership
Many international liaison organizations are involved in GCNLF efforts:
- Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professionals
- American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing
- Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses
- Health Policy Partnership
- Heart Health Mauritius
- International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation
- International Council of Nursing (ICN)
- Global Heart Hub
- Spanish Association of Nursing in Cardiology
- World Heart Federation (WHF)
- World Patients Alliance (WPA)
For details on clinical tools, a guidance document, an informational flyer, and more, visit GCNLF.
Many thanks to the 2024 GCNLF sponsors: Amgen, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and AskBio.
Learn More About GCNLF’s Mission and Goals
The Global Cardiovascular Nursing Leadership Forum (GCNLF) is a project of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA), the leading nursing organization in the United States dedicated to preventing and managing cardiovascular disease and stroke. The mission of GCNLF is to engage and mobilize an international community of nurses to promote the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke through research, education, policy, and advocacy.
GCNLF engages and mobilizes an international community of nursing leaders to promote prevention through research, education, policy, and advocacy.
GCNLF Goals:
- Champion a global nursing movement for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke prevention across the lifespan of all individuals and families.
- Empower nurses worldwide on the science and practice of health promotion and CVD and stroke prevention.
- Position nurses as leaders in CVD and stroke prevention.