JACC This Week

Welcome to the new season of JACC This Week! In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Harlan Krumholz is joined by co-host Dr. Carolyn Lam to kick off a refreshed, more conversational era of the podcast. Together, they reflect on the evolution of the show, approach to thematic curation, and introduce the February 3 issue of JACC, curated around valve heart disease. The discussion explores JACC's approach to thematic issues, the importance of timely publication, and how emerging evidence is shifting valvular heart disease management toward lifetime decision-making and patient-centered outcomes. Highlights include insights into aortic stenosis and regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, global perspectives on valve care, and what clinicians should be watching as transcatheter therapies continue to evolve. Dr. Krumholz also shares the thinking behind his Editor's Page on scientific writing—specifically, how a strong introduction earns the reader's trust—offering practical guidance for researchers at all stages. The episode sets the tone for a new season focused on rigor, relevance, global inclusion, and meaningful dialogue with the cardiovascular community.

In the December 2, 2025 episode of JACC This Week, Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, introduces the Spotlight Issue, anchored by the manuscript "Global, Regional, and National Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors in 204 Countries and Territories, 1990–2023." Listen here as he reviews the issue and gives listeners perspective on the issue as a whole, which contains 19 viewpoints providing perspectives from experts around the world, plus his editor's page, aligned with a talk given at the UN with JACC Editor Emeritus Valentin Fuster, MD, and author Gregory A. Roth, MD. Other perspectives include: CVD in Sub-Saharan Africa; access to essential medicines and technologies; confronting inequities in pediatric cardiac care; and perspectives from Japan, Canada, the Middle East & North Africa, South America, Pakistan, and many others. Listen to the podcast and then check out the full issue online here: https://www.jacc.org/toc/jacc/86/22.

JACC's November 25, 2025 issue kicks off Thanksgiving week with JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, reflecting on his editor's page and the day he became a doctor (0:12). For original research articles, he discusses a study on colchicine & clonal hematopoiesis, an exploratory study of the LoDoCo2 trial (1:10), and a paired editorial comment with more perspectives and a reminder of the upcoming COLCOT trial (4:33). Next, a study on Lp(a) and IL-6 (4:54) and an editorial (6:12), 30-year CVD risk percentiles based on the PREVENT equations (6:30), and an accompanying editorial from JACC Deputy Editor Erica Spatz, MD, on next-generation strategies to encourage healthier behaviors (7:35). Other studies and editorials include a fascinating look at alcohol and blood pressure (8:04) and reinforcing the WHO public health guidance (10:05); remnant cholesterol in young adults (10:38) and implications for cholesterol guidelines (12:36). We also include four brief reports on RSV vaccine (13:11), long Covid (13:43), Lp(a) levels (14:06), the predictive power of polygenic risk scores (14:58), a viewpoint on US veterans (15:36), and our regular Amara Yad image (15:53), which we're delighted to be able to continue to promote with JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology Editor-in-Chief Kalyanam Shivkumar, MD.

Delve into the fascinating world of adiposity and its impact on heart health. Discover why waist-to-height ratios might be better predictors of heart failure than BMI. Learn about the extensive cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists and how obesity affects biomarker interpretations. The role of visceral fat in chronic kidney disease is explored, alongside discussions of how diabetes intertwines with heart conditions. Insights into managing obesity in heart failure highlight the need for collaborative care in cardiometabolic health.

Explore the intriguing intersection of geography and cardiovascular risk as the discussion challenges standard models. Discover insights from the OCEAN Mitral study on heart repair outcomes and the strong link between placental malperfusion and congenital heart disease. Learn about innovations in risk assessment with high-sensitivity troponin testing and the implications of blood group classifications in COVID-19. Finally, gain perspective on the human side of pediatric cardiology and the future of translational science from its new editor.

Discover the groundbreaking 2025 hypertension guidelines that aim to shift blood pressure control into a new era. Key updates include lower blood pressure targets and the importance of out-of-office monitoring. Delve into the role of technology in hypertension care, promoting team-based strategies for better patient outcomes. Contributing experts discuss innovative approaches like single-pill combinations and the need for a cultural change in addressing severe hypertension. Explore practical strategies and next steps to make uncontrolled hypertension a 'never event'.

Dr. Harlan Krumholz dives into the hot topic of blood pressure targets, advocating for a goal near 120 mm Hg to boost cardiovascular health. He shares findings from the STEP and ESPRIT trials, showing that intensive control can reduce stroke risk and improve quality of life, even in older adults. The podcast highlights long-term benefits of early intervention and the importance of the new 2025 guidelines. Krumholz emphasizes the pressing need for consistent implementation of these effective strategies in clinical practice.

JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, introduces the October 21, 2025 issue of JACC, which is devoted entirely to Dr. Milton Packer's adipokine hypothesis. Dr. Krumholz explains the rationale behind dedicating the issue to this bold conceptual framework, which proposes that dysfunctional visceral fat and its secreted adipokines drive HFpEF. We're also thrilled to present readers with 10 accompanying expert commentaries that explore, challenge, and contextualize the hypothesis.

Delve into the modernization of physician certification with a focus on core knowledge and clinical reasoning. Explore the link between clonal hematopoiesis and cardiovascular risks in older women. Discover how third-generation LVADs improve clot outcomes, despite bleeding risks, and learn about dapagliflozin's impact on heart failure events post-TAVI. Find out how inflammation targeting post-myocardial infarction can aid healing and discuss the expanding role of drug-coated balloons in PCI. Plus, the growing use of cardiac CT for assessing prosthetic valves.

In the October 7, 2025 issue of JACC, Editor-in-Chief Harlan Krumholz discusses how artificial intelligence can enhance clarity in scientific writing—serving as a tool, not a ghostwriter—while maintaining author accountability. A major study shows that nearly all cardiovascular events occur in people with at least one risk factor, reinforcing the need for early detection and management. Emerging research highlights a percutaneous "debulking" technique that may safely manage infected cardiac device leads, and a revived cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor showing promising lipid and event outcomes. Additional trials explore the benefits of starting combination therapy earlier in diabetes and kidney disease, and a state-of-the-art review revisits the evolving role of fibrinolysis across thromboembolic conditions.