

JACC This Week
American College of Cardiology
A weekly co-hosted podcast featuring JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC and JACC Senior Consulting Editor Carolyn S.P. Lam, MBBS, PhD, giving readers context on our weekly issues. Listen in as they break down the latest trends and share practical tips that are changing the way heart care works globally.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 10, 2025 • 10min
Associations of Short-Term Ozone Exposure With Hypoxia and Arterial Stiffness
In this podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a study examining the impact of short-term ozone exposure on arterial stiffness and cardiovascular health. The research reveals that ozone may reduce oxygen availability, triggering compensatory responses like increased red blood cell count, which contributes to arterial stiffness, and emphasizes the need for further research into the biological mechanisms linking ozone exposure to cardiovascular diseases.

Feb 10, 2025 • 9min
Treating Older Patients in Cardiogenic Shock With a Microaxial Flow Pump: Is it DANGERous?
In this podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a study on the use of the microaxial flow pump (Impella) in treating older patients with cardiogenic shock following a myocardial infarction. The findings suggest that while the Impella pump can reduce mortality in younger patients, its effectiveness diminishes in those over 77, highlighting the need for age-based patient selection to optimize outcomes in this complex condition.

Feb 10, 2025 • 12min
Myocardial Fibroblast Activation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Study
In this podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses a groundbreaking study by Dr. Anna Barton and her team on myocardial fibroblast activation following acute myocardial infarction. Using advanced imaging techniques, the research uncovers how fibroblast activity plays a critical role in heart remodeling, revealing that fibrosis is dynamic and may offer new therapeutic opportunities for preventing heart failure and improving long-term recovery after heart attacks.

Feb 10, 2025 • 12min
Randomized Comparison of Novel Low-Dose Sirolimus-Eluting Biodegradable Polymer Stent vs Second-Generation DES: TARGET-IV NA Trial
In this podcast, Dr. Valentin Fuster discusses the Target for NA trial, which compares biodegradable polymer stents to second-generation drug-eluting stents for coronary intervention. While the results showed the biodegradable stents were non-inferior in preventing target lesion failure, questions remain regarding their real-world performance and procedural handling in clinical practice.

Feb 10, 2025 • 26min
JACC - February 18, 2025 Issue Summary
In this February 18, 2025 issue of the JACC, Dr. Valentin Fuster presents groundbreaking studies on topics such as biodegradable polymer stents, myocardial fibroblast activation after heart attacks, and the role of microaxial flow pumps in treating cardiogenic shock. The issue also explores the dangers of ozone exposure on arterial stiffness and highlights expert consensus on arrhythmia monitoring after strokes, offering valuable insights for both cardiology practitioners and researchers.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
Long-Term Lipid Lowering With Evolocumab in Older Individuals
Section 1: Introduction (0:00 - 5:30) Dr. Valentin Fuster introduces a special issue on Prevention, covering societal and individual prevention aspects and key cardiovascular risk factors. He highlights issues like medication adherence, obesity, and the need for better education and healthcare systems. Section 2: Prevention in Society (5:30 - 35:30) Adherence to Medications The PURE trial shows low medication adherence (31% at follow-up) across 17 countries, despite technological advancements in diagnostics. Barriers include low health literacy and inadequate healthcare systems. Social Determinants of Health Social deprivation leads to worse cardiovascular outcomes, especially among sexual minorities in the U.S. The editorial calls for more equitable healthcare access and anti-stigma efforts. Environmental Factors: Aircraft Noise Higher aircraft noise exposure is linked to worse heart health, urging noise reduction policies for vulnerable populations. Section 3: Prevention in Individuals (35:30 - 55:30) Sedentary Behavior Even with exercise, high sedentary time (over 10.6 hours a day) increases cardiovascular risk. Reducing sedentary time can significantly lower heart disease risk. Intensive Lifestyle Interventions for Diabetes Weight loss and lifestyle changes improve cardiac biomarkers and reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients. Section 4: Risk Factor Impacts (55:30 - 1:10:00) Hyperlipidemia & Obesity Hyperlipidemia and obesity management, including medications like semaglutide, play key roles in preventing cardiovascular disease. The 2024 ESC hypertension guidelines are also crucial in risk reduction.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
Accelerometer-Measured Sedentary Behavior and Risk of Future Cardiovascular Disease
Section 1: Introduction (0:00 - 5:30) Dr. Valentin Fuster introduces a special issue on Prevention, covering societal and individual prevention aspects and key cardiovascular risk factors. He highlights issues like medication adherence, obesity, and the need for better education and healthcare systems. Section 2: Prevention in Society (5:30 - 35:30) Adherence to Medications The PURE trial shows low medication adherence (31% at follow-up) across 17 countries, despite technological advancements in diagnostics. Barriers include low health literacy and inadequate healthcare systems. Social Determinants of Health Social deprivation leads to worse cardiovascular outcomes, especially among sexual minorities in the U.S. The editorial calls for more equitable healthcare access and anti-stigma efforts. Environmental Factors: Aircraft Noise Higher aircraft noise exposure is linked to worse heart health, urging noise reduction policies for vulnerable populations. Section 3: Prevention in Individuals (35:30 - 55:30) Sedentary Behavior Even with exercise, high sedentary time (over 10.6 hours a day) increases cardiovascular risk. Reducing sedentary time can significantly lower heart disease risk. Intensive Lifestyle Interventions for Diabetes Weight loss and lifestyle changes improve cardiac biomarkers and reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients. Section 4: Risk Factor Impacts (55:30 - 1:10:00) Hyperlipidemia & Obesity Hyperlipidemia and obesity management, including medications like semaglutide, play key roles in preventing cardiovascular disease. The 2024 ESC hypertension guidelines are also crucial in risk reduction.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
Social Determinants of Health, Cardiovascular Health, and Mortality in Sexual Minority Individuals in the United States
Section 1: Introduction (0:00 - 5:30) Dr. Valentin Fuster introduces a special issue on Prevention, covering societal and individual prevention aspects and key cardiovascular risk factors. He highlights issues like medication adherence, obesity, and the need for better education and healthcare systems. Section 2: Prevention in Society (5:30 - 35:30) Adherence to Medications The PURE trial shows low medication adherence (31% at follow-up) across 17 countries, despite technological advancements in diagnostics. Barriers include low health literacy and inadequate healthcare systems. Social Determinants of Health Social deprivation leads to worse cardiovascular outcomes, especially among sexual minorities in the U.S. The editorial calls for more equitable healthcare access and anti-stigma efforts. Environmental Factors: Aircraft Noise Higher aircraft noise exposure is linked to worse heart health, urging noise reduction policies for vulnerable populations. Section 3: Prevention in Individuals (35:30 - 55:30) Sedentary Behavior Even with exercise, high sedentary time (over 10.6 hours a day) increases cardiovascular risk. Reducing sedentary time can significantly lower heart disease risk. Intensive Lifestyle Interventions for Diabetes Weight loss and lifestyle changes improve cardiac biomarkers and reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients. Section 4: Risk Factor Impacts (55:30 - 1:10:00) Hyperlipidemia & Obesity Hyperlipidemia and obesity management, including medications like semaglutide, play key roles in preventing cardiovascular disease. The 2024 ESC hypertension guidelines are also crucial in risk reduction.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
Semaglutide Improves Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With History of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Obesity
Section 1: Introduction (0:00 - 5:30) Dr. Valentin Fuster introduces a special issue on Prevention, covering societal and individual prevention aspects and key cardiovascular risk factors. He highlights issues like medication adherence, obesity, and the need for better education and healthcare systems. Section 2: Prevention in Society (5:30 - 35:30) Adherence to Medications The PURE trial shows low medication adherence (31% at follow-up) across 17 countries, despite technological advancements in diagnostics. Barriers include low health literacy and inadequate healthcare systems. Social Determinants of Health Social deprivation leads to worse cardiovascular outcomes, especially among sexual minorities in the U.S. The editorial calls for more equitable healthcare access and anti-stigma efforts. Environmental Factors: Aircraft Noise Higher aircraft noise exposure is linked to worse heart health, urging noise reduction policies for vulnerable populations. Section 3: Prevention in Individuals (35:30 - 55:30) Sedentary Behavior Even with exercise, high sedentary time (over 10.6 hours a day) increases cardiovascular risk. Reducing sedentary time can significantly lower heart disease risk. Intensive Lifestyle Interventions for Diabetes Weight loss and lifestyle changes improve cardiac biomarkers and reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients. Section 4: Risk Factor Impacts (55:30 - 1:10:00) Hyperlipidemia & Obesity Hyperlipidemia and obesity management, including medications like semaglutide, play key roles in preventing cardiovascular disease. The 2024 ESC hypertension guidelines are also crucial in risk reduction.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
Higher Aircraft Noise Exposure Is Linked to Worse Heart Structure and Function by Cardiovascular MRI
Section 1: Introduction (0:00 - 5:30) Dr. Valentin Fuster introduces a special issue on Prevention, covering societal and individual prevention aspects and key cardiovascular risk factors. He highlights issues like medication adherence, obesity, and the need for better education and healthcare systems. Section 2: Prevention in Society (5:30 - 35:30) Adherence to Medications The PURE trial shows low medication adherence (31% at follow-up) across 17 countries, despite technological advancements in diagnostics. Barriers include low health literacy and inadequate healthcare systems. Social Determinants of Health Social deprivation leads to worse cardiovascular outcomes, especially among sexual minorities in the U.S. The editorial calls for more equitable healthcare access and anti-stigma efforts. Environmental Factors: Aircraft Noise Higher aircraft noise exposure is linked to worse heart health, urging noise reduction policies for vulnerable populations. Section 3: Prevention in Individuals (35:30 - 55:30) Sedentary Behavior Even with exercise, high sedentary time (over 10.6 hours a day) increases cardiovascular risk. Reducing sedentary time can significantly lower heart disease risk. Intensive Lifestyle Interventions for Diabetes Weight loss and lifestyle changes improve cardiac biomarkers and reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients. Section 4: Risk Factor Impacts (55:30 - 1:10:00) Hyperlipidemia & Obesity Hyperlipidemia and obesity management, including medications like semaglutide, play key roles in preventing cardiovascular disease. The 2024 ESC hypertension guidelines are also crucial in risk reduction.


