Lesson 1Adapting communication and plans for low-literacy, low-income patients: teach-back, pictorial aids, low-cost medication choicesThis lesson shows how to adjust advice and plans for patients in Zambia with low reading skills or income, using teach-back methods, pictures, simple treatments, cheap medicines, and respectful communication.
Assessing literacy and financial barriersUsing teach-back to confirm understandingPictorial and color-coded medication aidsChoosing effective low-cost drug optionsSimplifying dosing schedules and refillsCulturally sensitive communication skillsLesson 2Statin therapy and lipid targets: risk-stratified thresholds for starting statins and monitoringThis lesson discusses when to start statins based on risk in Zambia, choosing strength, LDL-C goals, initial and follow-up tests, handling side effects, and tips to help high-risk patients stick to treatment.
Estimating ASCVD risk in primary preventionThresholds to start moderate vs high-intensity statinsLDL-C targets for primary and secondary preventionBaseline labs and follow-up lipid monitoringManaging statin intolerance and myalgiasImproving adherence and shared decisionsLesson 3Lifestyle interventions: evidence-based dietary patterns (DASH, Mediterranean), portion and sodium targets, practical low-cost adaptationsThis lesson explores lifestyle changes for preventing heart disease in Zambia, including DASH and Mediterranean diets, salt and portion limits, reading labels, and affordable tweaks for local food traditions.
Core principles of DASH and Mediterranean dietsSetting sodium and portion size targetsLow-cost substitutions for staple foodsCounseling on cooking methods and oilsReading food labels and hidden sodiumAdapting plans to cultural food patternsLesson 4Physical activity prescriptions: intensity, duration, step-counts, home-based exercises for low-resource patientsThis lesson explains prescribing safe exercise in Zambia, covering aerobic and strength training, step goals, and easy home routines for patients with few resources, different fitness levels, and health issues.
Assessing baseline activity and functional capacityPrescribing aerobic intensity using METs and RPESetting weekly duration and frequency targetsStep-count goals and use of simple trackersDesigning home-based programs for low resourcesSafety screening and red-flag symptomsLesson 5Glycemic management for cardiovascular prevention: thresholds for metformin and glycemic targets relevant to CVD riskThis lesson reviews blood sugar control to lower heart risk in Zambia, focusing on when to use metformin, personal A1c goals, medicines proven to help the heart, and linking with lifestyle and BP management.
Screening for diabetes and prediabetesWhen to start metformin for CVD preventionIndividualizing A1c targets by comorbidityAgents with proven cardiovascular benefitAvoiding hypoglycemia in high-risk patientsIntegrating glucose, BP, and lipid controlLesson 6Use of aspirin and antiplatelet therapy: primary vs secondary prevention guidance and contraindicationsThis lesson clarifies aspirin and other blood thinners for preventing first or repeat heart events in Zambia, including doses, length, bleeding checks, reasons not to use, and working with other blood thinners.
Evidence for aspirin in primary preventionSecondary prevention indications after MI or strokeDual antiplatelet therapy indications and durationAssessing bleeding risk and contraindicationsManaging therapy with anticoagulant overlapPatient counseling on adherence and safetyLesson 7Alcohol, sleep, and stress management: brief interventions and local resourcesThis lesson tackles alcohol, sleep, and stress as heart risk factors in Zambia, with quick screening tools, advice methods, change strategies, and links to local or online support services.
Screening for unhealthy alcohol useBrief alcohol interventions and limitsAssessing sleep duration and sleep disordersSleep hygiene strategies for CVD patientsStress assessment and basic coping skillsLinking patients to local and online resourcesLesson 8Tobacco cessation strategies: brief advice, pharmacotherapy indications (NRT, bupropion, varenicline), counseling workflowsThis lesson covers planned tobacco quitting in Zambia, including quick advice, medicine choices and doses, counseling steps, preventing slips, and adjustments for patients with low skills or resources.
Ask–Advise–Assist brief intervention stepsIndications and dosing for NRT productsUsing bupropion and varenicline safelyBehavioral counseling and quit planningManaging withdrawal and relapse preventionAdapting support for low-resource patientsLesson 9Secondary prevention after MI/stroke: dual antiplatelet duration, high-intensity statin, BP and glycemic targets, cardiac rehab referralThis lesson focuses on full prevention after heart attack or stroke in Zambia, covering blood thinner length, strong statins, BP and sugar goals, rehab referrals, and long-term sticking to plans.
Core medication bundle after MI or strokeDual antiplatelet therapy duration choicesHigh-intensity statin use and LDL-C goalsBlood pressure and glycemic targets post-eventCardiac rehab referral and program elementsCoordinating follow-up and adherence supportLesson 10Pharmacologic prevention: antihypertensive initiation and titration protocols, first-line drug classes and combinationsThis lesson details medicine-based high blood pressure prevention in Zambia, when to start, top drug types, mixing them, step-by-step increases, side effect watches, and simple plans for low-resource areas.
Confirming diagnosis and baseline BP profileThresholds to start antihypertensive therapyChoosing first-line drug classes and dosesStepwise titration and combination therapyMonitoring labs and adverse effectsSimplifying regimens for low-cost access
