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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 twice a month, every other Tuesday.

Podcast hosted by:
Professor James Rudd, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist, University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

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22 episodes
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Avg 19 min
English

Episodes 22

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Tuesday · 16 min
Syncope - the essentials
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Mohammed Ruzieh from Northwestern University, Illinois, US. They discuss his paper on managing patients presenting with syncope. 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: "Syncope and the heart: When to suspect and how to act?" https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2026/05/18/heartjnl-2025-326964
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September 8 · 16 min
How should we manage elevated blood pressure in the in-patient setting?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Tara Chang from Stanford University. They discuss how to assess patients with high blood pressure in the inpatient setting and the best way to manage them. 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 the paper, "Acute elevated blood pressure in the inpatient setting" - https://heart.bmj.com/content/112/12/658
August 25 · 18 min
Computational Models in Cardiovascular Disease
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Nick van Osta from Maastricht University. They discuss a review paper on computational modelling in cardiovascular disease. They cover the use of AI for: ECG diagnosis automatic ejection fraction segmentation from echocardiography prediction of success in cardiac resynchronisation therapy 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: "Individual hearts: computational models for improved management of cardiovascular disease" - https://heart.bmj.com/content/112/11/589
August 11 · 18 min
What is prehabilitation before cardiac surgery?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Enoch Akowuah from The University of Newcastle. They discuss what prehabilitation before cardiac surgery is, in terms of its three components, and the evidence base for it, and what he's planning in the largest multi-centre trial the UK has ever seen. 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/2026/03/16/heartjnl-2025-326769
July 28 · 18 min
What best explains the reduction in mortality after a heart attack over the last 15 years?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Sharon Ayayo from the University of Manchester, UK. They discuss her analysis of the MINAP database that showed a significant improvement in survival after heart attack in England and Wales, and tried to explain why this had occurred - was it more effective medication, greater use of coronary intervention or something else. 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/112/8/446
July 14 · 23 min
What's the best way to screen for atrial fibrillation?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Emma Svennberg from Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. They discuss her review on AF screening and dive into why many trials have been disappointing and how things might improve in the future. 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/2026/02/26/heartjnl-2025-326121
June 30 · 28 min
Can exercise lower your risk of AF?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Ben Buckley from John Moores University. They discuss his Cochrane systematic review about the use of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation, and whether this might lead to a change in the guidelines. Spoiler: there was a significant benefit in terms of reducing the risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation. Listen to find out more! 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://bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/17/1242
June 16 · 25 min
Beyond the weight: how obesity drugs and bariatric surgery are changing cardiovascular medicine
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Carel le Roux from University College, Dublin and Ulster University. They discuss the trial evidence that has emerged over the last 20 years for both bariatric surgery and the newer GLP-1 medications, focusing particularly on reductions in cardiovascular outcomes. They also discuss where the field of obesity intervention might head over the next five years and how metabolic surgery will continue to have an important role. 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/2026/02/23/heartjnl-2025-326812
June 2 · 30 min
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction plus AF - challenges and opportunities
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Harriette Van Spall from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They discuss her team's comprehensive review paper all about the intersection of heart failure with the preserved ejection fraction and atrial fibrillation. In particular, they cover the diagnostic challenges in this patient group, established and emerging medications, and the potential for conduction system pacing as a treatment option. 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/2026/03/06/heartjnl-2025-326954
May 19 · 14 min
Can routine cardiac CT in patients with acute coronary syndrome and prior bypass grafts improve clinical decisions?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Matthew Kelham from Bart's Hospital in London, UK. They discuss the difficulties in deciding the best strategy for patients who present with a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction who have had previous bypass grafting. Matt and colleagues used a survey of experts to gain consensus, then provided the experts with the results of a CTCA scan to assess whether the CTCA scan improved decision-making in this hard-to-manage group. 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/2026/01/26/heartjnl-2025-326961
May 5 · 16 min
Do older patients benefit from heart failure therapies?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor Professor James Rudd is joined by Dr Elinor Tan from the National University of Singapore. They discuss her team's systematic review and meta-analysis of guideline-directed medical therapies in older patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. They wanted to understand whether this patient group still benefits from such therapies and the profile of adverse events. 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/2026/02/11/heartjnl-2025-326305
April 21 · 18 min
Simulation training in Cardiology - a missed opportunity?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Stephen Hamshere from Bart's Hospital in London, UK. They discuss what simulation training entails, how it can help fill gaps in specialist training and what the future state might look like. 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/2025/11/19/heartjnl-2025-326598.long
April 7 · 20 min
The natural history of aortic regurgitation
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Jwan Naser from The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. They discuss her study on asymptomatic aortic regurgitation, which suggests it may be less benign than previously believed. 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/2025/11/17/heartjnl-2025-326643
March 24 · 20 min
Current and emerging treatments for cardiac amyloidosis
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Marianna Fontana from Royal Free Hospital in London, UK. They discuss the current and future state of therapies for ATTR amyloidosis affecting the heart. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a supportive review wherever you get your podcasts. It helps us to reach more people - thanks! Link to published paper: https://heart.bmj.com/content/112/3/129
March 10 · 12 min
Premature ventricular complexes and risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke in patients without structural heart disease
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Robin Bouleau from Stockholm, Sweden. They discuss his study that aimed to test whether having PVCs but a normal heart was a risk for future AF and stroke. 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/112/1/21.long
February 24 · 19 min
Identification and management of non-obstructive high-risk coronary artery plaque
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor Professor James Rudd is joined by Dr Craig Balmforth from the University of Edinburgh. They discuss the rationale for identifying high-risk plaque, how imaging can help, and emerging therapies, including PCI. 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/112/1/13.long
February 10 · 20 min
Cardiac imaging in oncology: the detection of cardiotoxicity
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Kazuaki Negishi from Sydney, Australia. They discuss the optimal use of imaging to detect cardiac effects of cancer therapies. 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/111/22/1057
January 27 · 16 min
Anticoagulation in patients with low-burden atrial fibrillation: new evidence focusing on device-detected AF
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Paulus Kirchhoff from the University of Hamburg in Germany. They discuss the concept of device-detected atrial fibrillation and how we should approach anticoagulation in this common patient group. 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/111/21/999.long
January 13 · 14 min
How does colchicine impact inflammation in the coronary arteries?
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Aernoud Fiolet from Utrecht in the Netherlands. They discuss the imaging substudy of the LoDoCo2 trial, which tested colchicine in patients with chronic coronary syndromes. 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/111/23/1156.long
Dec 30, 2025 · 20 min
Can we predict coronary artery disease on CT using machine learning - insights from the SCOT-HEART trial
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Michelle Williams from the University of Edinburgh. They discuss the possibility of predicting cardiovascular disease on CT from clinical factors in the SCOT-HEART trial. 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://openheart.bmj.com/content/12/2/e003162 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1805971

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