

Heart Podcast
BMJ Group
The Heart Podcast is your go-to source for the latest insights and developments in cardiovascular medicine. Each episode features in-depth interviews with renowned authors and leading experts in the field, delving into the latest advances in cardiovascular research and treatments.
Heart - heart.bmj.com - is a renowned international journal from the BMJ Group and the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) dedicated to publishing research and reviews on cardiovascular disease. Stay ahead in your field by tuning into our expert discussions and accessing cutting-edge information.
Subscribe now or listen on your favourite podcast platform to elevate your understanding of cardiovascular medicine. The Heart podcast is published every other Tuesday.
Podcast hosted by:
James Rudd, Digital Media Editor, University of Cambridge
Heart - heart.bmj.com - is a renowned international journal from the BMJ Group and the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) dedicated to publishing research and reviews on cardiovascular disease. Stay ahead in your field by tuning into our expert discussions and accessing cutting-edge information.
Subscribe now or listen on your favourite podcast platform to elevate your understanding of cardiovascular medicine. The Heart podcast is published every other Tuesday.
Podcast hosted by:
James Rudd, Digital Media Editor, University of Cambridge
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 21, 2025 • 19min
Predicting 1-year futility of TAVI procedures using machine learning
Dr. Mehdi Eskandari, an imaging cardiologist at King's College Hospital, shares his expertise on predicting TAVI procedure outcomes using machine learning. He dives into the limitations of current models and highlights how his research utilizes 13 key pre-procedural variables to enhance predictive accuracy. Topics include the impact of frailty, lung function, and more on one-year futility rates. Dr. Eskandari also discusses future directions, including the potential of advanced imaging, as he emphasizes the need for prospective validation and a deeper integration of data science.

7 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 26min
Top 10 statistical errors in submitted papers...and how to avoid them
Dan Green, a Senior Teaching Fellow at Aston University and a statistical reviewer, shares invaluable insights into common statistical errors found in submitted manuscripts. He discusses the importance of avoiding incorrect causal language and emphasizes the need for well-structured abstracts. Green highlights tips on reporting statistical analyses accurately, utilizing clear participant flow diagrams, and avoiding pitfalls in regression modeling. He also advises against relying solely on univariable p-values for model building, promoting transparency in reporting missing data.

Sep 23, 2025 • 24min
Wearable device technology and the future of patient assessment
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor Professor James Rudd is joined by Dr Paul Morris and Dr Gareth Williams from the University of Sheffield. They discuss what wearable devices are, the technology that powers them, and how they will impact the future of patient care in cardiology. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a positive review wherever you get your podcasts. It helps us reach more people - thank you!
Link to published paper:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(23)00087-0/fulltext

6 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 22min
Change in body weight, cardiovascular disease and mortality
Dr. Carl Lavie, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation, brings expertise in obesity and heart health to the discussion. He delves into the complex relationship between body weight and cardiovascular disease, introducing the controversial 'obesity paradox.' The conversation highlights the critical role of cardiorespiratory fitness in health outcomes and examines the impact of anti-obesity medications, emphasizing their potential alongside exercise. Lavie also sheds light on the influence of the food industry and declining physical activity on public health.

Aug 26, 2025 • 29min
Strategies to increase female participation in cardiovascular clinical trials
In this insightful discussion, Professor Vijay Kunadian, a pioneer in interventional cardiology, teams up with Sarah Brown, a passionate heart disease advocate and trustee at the Cardiovascular Care Partnership. They dive into the significant underrepresentation of women in cardiovascular clinical trials, highlighting critical barriers and sharing personal anecdotes. The duo emphasizes strategies to enhance female participation, the importance of inclusivity, and the vital role of tailored communication and female leadership in improving health outcomes.

Aug 12, 2025 • 27min
Current and Future Applications of Photon-Counting Computer Tomography in Cardiovascular Medicine
Filippo Cademartiri, a cardiovascular radiology professor from Naples, Italy, shares insights on cutting-edge photon-counting CT technology. He discusses how this innovation enhances imaging quality while reducing radiation exposure, especially in complex cases like stents and atherosclerosis. The conversation explores its effectiveness in diagnosing cardiomyopathies compared to traditional methods and highlights exciting advances like gold nanoparticles for better plaque characterization. Despite its high costs, the future for this technology in cardiovascular medicine looks promising.

Jul 29, 2025 • 19min
Mechanical circulatory support for patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock: a state-of-the-art review
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Prof. Jacob Eifer Moller from Odense, Denmark. They discuss his review paper on mechanical circulatory support and some of the supporting guidelines and papers in this area. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a positive review wherever you get your podcasts. It helps us to reach more people - thanks!
Link to published paper:
https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2025/01/15/heartjnl-2024-324883

Jul 15, 2025 • 14min
Can we use cardiac MRI alone to exclude ischaemic cardiomyopathy in patients with heart failure?
Dr. Louis-Marie Desroches, an interventional cardiologist and clinical researcher from Reunion Island, discusses the pivotal role of cardiac MRI in diagnosing heart failure. He highlights how relying solely on this technology can lead to missed diagnoses and undertreatment. Desroches emphasizes integrating MRI with other diagnostic tools to optimize patient care. The conversation touches on the challenges of obtaining accurate results, including the notable sensitivity issues and the need for standardized image quality in cardiac evaluations.

Jul 1, 2025 • 15min
Inflammation in coronary atherosclerosis
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Salvatore Brugaletta from Barcelona, Spain. They discuss the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, how to detect it using imaging and biomarkers, and promising drugs in the pipeline to reduce inflammation levels. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a positive review wherever you get your podcasts. It helps us to reach more people - thanks!
Link to published paper: https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2025/03/25/heartjnl-2024-325408

Jun 17, 2025 • 21min
Pericardial complications after heart surgery
Join Dr. Alireza Malektojari, a newly minted MD and evidence-based medicine advocate, and Dr. Tyler Pitre, a budding respirology fellow with a knack for network analysis, as they delve into preventing pericardial complications after heart surgery. They dissect common issues like effusions and pericarditis, revealing innovative treatment strategies. Their network meta-analysis uncovers the potential of colchicine and beta blockers, aiming to refine clinical guidelines and ultimately enhance patient outcomes in cardiovascular care.


