2027 Exercise Stress Testing Course Description
Course Credits: Earn up to 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and AAFP Prescribed Credits.
Course Price: $1,295
Exercise Stress Testing is a one-and-a-half-day course.
Missed or delayed diagnoses of coronary artery disease can have serious consequences for patients and represent a significant malpractice concern in primary care. As the patient population ages, timely cardiovascular evaluation becomes increasingly important. This case-based CME course combines demonstration videos and real-world clinical examples to help clinicians strengthen their knowledge of performing and interpreting exercise stress testing (EST). Learn when to order EST, when to avoid it, and how to recognize its limitations. Explore practical alternatives and review equipment and staffing needs. Whether you're refining your skills or considering adding EST to your practice for the first time, you'll gain practical knowledge to support timely, informed cardiovascular care.By the end of this educational activity, learners should be better able to:
- Describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and discuss appropriate management options for CAD.
- Differentiate normal and abnormal cardiopulmonary, physiologic, and ECG responses to exercise.
- Identify the indications and contraindications for exercise stress testing.
- Select appropriate exercise stress testing protocols and demonstrate the steps necessary to set up, perform, and interpret exercise stress tests.
- Apply appropriate patient monitoring, safety precautions, and termination criteria when performing exercise stress testing.
- Describe current recommendations for obtaining and maintaining competency in exercise stress testing.
- Interpret exercise stress testing cases and identify when alternative or additional testing may be appropriate for evaluating CAD and other cardiovascular abnormalities.
- Develop individualized exercise prescriptions, lifestyle recommendations, and follow-up strategies for patients with cardiovascular risk factors or established disease.
2027 Course Accreditation
The Texas Academy of Family Physicians designates this live activity for a maximum of 12.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.
7:30 – 8 a.m.
- Registration and breakfast
Day One
8 – 10 a.m. — 2 CME Credits
Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Presentation of Coronary Artery Disease
- Describe the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical presentation of coronary artery disease and discuss appropriate management options.
History of Exercise Stress Testing
- Describe the history and evolution of exercise stress testing and its role in the evaluation of cardiovascular disease.
10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Indications and Contraindications for Exercise Stress Testing
- Identify appropriate indications and contraindications for exercise stress testing based on patient characteristics and clinical presentation.
Physiologic Responses, Monitoring Parameters, and Protocols
- Differentiate normal and abnormal cardiopulmonary, physiologic, and ECG responses to exercise.
- Select appropriate exercise stress testing protocols based on patient characteristics and the clinical purpose of testing.
- Apply appropriate procedures for patient preparation, equipment setup, monitoring, and performance of exercise stress testing.
12 – 1 p.m. — Lunch
1 – 3 p.m. — 2 CME Credits
Physician Responsibilities and Patient Safety
- Apply appropriate patient monitoring, safety precautions, and termination criteria when performing exercise stress testing.
- Describe physician responsibilities for the safe and accurate performance of exercise stress testing.
Interpreting Exercise Stress Testing: Prognosis and Limitations
- Interpret exercise stress testing findings to assess cardiovascular risk and prognosis.
- Recognize factors that may affect the diagnostic and prognostic value of exercise stress testing.
3 – 3:15 p.m. — Break
3:15 – 5:15 p.m. — 2 CME Credits
Interpreting Exercise Stress Testing: Prognosis and Limitations, Continued
- Interpret exercise stress testing findings to assess cardiovascular risk and prognosis.
- Recognize factors that may affect the diagnostic and prognostic value of exercise stress testing.
Alternative Testing for the Evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease
- Identify alternative or additional testing that may be appropriate for evaluating coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular abnormalities.
- Apply exercise stress testing findings and patient characteristics to determine when additional cardiovascular evaluation may be appropriate.
Day Two
8 – 10 a.m. — 2 CME Credits
Case Discussions and Clinical Scenarios
- Interpret exercise stress testing findings from patient cases and apply the results to clinical decision-making.
- Apply exercise stress testing principles to common patient cases encountered in clinical practice.
Exercise Prescription and Management of Coronary Artery Disease: Lifestyle Modification and Follow-up
- Develop individualized exercise prescriptions for patients with cardiovascular risk factors or established disease.
- Recommend appropriate lifestyle modifications for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
- Develop appropriate longitudinal follow-up strategies for patients with cardiovascular risk factors or established disease.
10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — 2.25 CME Credits
Obtaining and Maintaining Competency
- Describe current recommendations for obtaining and maintaining competency in exercise stress testing.
- Identify the training and clinical experience necessary to safely perform and interpret exercise stress testing.
Coding and Reimbursement
- Apply appropriate coding and documentation principles for exercise stress testing and related services.
- Use clinical scenarios to select appropriate codes for exercise stress testing services performed.
Clinical Questions
- Apply course concepts to clinical questions and practice-based scenarios involving exercise stress testing in the primary care setting.
TOTAL CME CREDITS: 12
There are currently no dates available for this course