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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 24, 2026 • 21min
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
Mar 10, 2026 • 12min
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
4 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 20min
Identification and management of non-obstructive high-risk coronary artery plaque
Craig Balmforth, PhD candidate and cardiologist at the University of Edinburgh who studies PET molecular imaging of coronary plaque. He talks about detecting non-obstructive high-risk plaques, how CT and PET reveal active microcalcification, the limits of MRI, debates around preventative PCI, and using imaging to target emerging RNA and anti-inflammatory therapies.
Feb 10, 2026 • 21min
Cardiac imaging in oncology: the detection of cardiotoxicity
Professor Kazuaki Negishi, cardiologist and UNSW professor specialising in cardio-oncology and cardiac imaging. He discusses using imaging to spot cancer therapy heart effects early. Topics include categories of treatment-related cardiac toxicity, when to use echo, GLS, MRI and CT, GLS‑guided cardioprotection trials, practical surveillance workflows and detection of immune checkpoint myocarditis.
Jan 27, 2026 • 16min
Anticoagulation in patients with low-burden atrial fibrillation: new evidence focusing on device-detected AF
Paulus Kirchhoff, professor of cardiology and electrophysiology from Hamburg, explains device-detected atrial fibrillation and why short, device-recorded episodes differ from ECG-diagnosed AF. He outlines why stroke risk is lower with device AF, how recent trials affect anticoagulation thinking, and which patients with vascular disease or higher AF burden might benefit from treatment.
Jan 13, 2026 • 15min
How does colchicine impact inflammation in the coronary arteries?
Dr. Arnoud Fiolet, a cardiologist and researcher at Utrecht University, dives into his groundbreaking work on colchicine and its impact on coronary artery inflammation. He discusses the LoDoCo2 trial, revealing how colchicine reduces major adverse cardiovascular events by about 25%. The conversation highlights how colchicine affects plaque composition through imaging, leading to greater plaque calcification. Arnoud addresses study limitations and emphasizes the need for further research to explore the drug's mechanisms—promising insights into heart disease management.
Dec 30, 2025 • 21min
Can we predict coronary artery disease on CT using machine learning - insights from the SCOT-HEART trial
In this engaging discussion, Professor Michelle Williams, a renowned expert in cardiovascular imaging, sheds light on the groundbreaking SCOT-HEART trial. They explore how machine learning could revolutionize predicting coronary artery disease using CT scans. Michelle shares insights on high-risk plaque detection and the limitations of their findings, emphasizing the need for recalibration across healthcare systems. The conversation also touches on the upcoming SCOT-HEART 2 study, designed to assess screening benefits for asymptomatic patients, and encourages future careers in this innovative field.
Dec 16, 2025 • 19min
Therapies for ventricular tachycardia
Dr. John Sapp, a cardiac electrophysiologist and professor at Dalhousie University, dives deep into the complexities of ventricular tachycardia (VT). He explains the transformation of VT from a sudden death threat to a manageable condition with ICDs. The conversation covers the re-entry mechanisms that cause VT, the benefits and risks of antiarrhythmic drugs, and the evolution of VT ablation techniques. Emerging technologies like larger-footprint catheters showcase the future of treatment, while Sapp shares insights on success rates and increasing procedure complexities.
Dec 2, 2025 • 21min
Evolution of coronary stents: innovations, antithrombotic strategies and future directions
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr William Parker from Sheffield in the UK. They discuss how PCI has changed over the last 40 years, covering balloons, stents, drugs and 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/111/16/753
Nov 18, 2025 • 20min
Planetary health meets cardiology: A call to action
Dr. Frances Varian, a cardiology registrar and geography graduate, shares her expertise on the intersection of climate change and cardiovascular health. She highlights the significant impact of air pollution on heart disease and discusses the urgent need for sustainable dietary practices. Frances breaks down cardiology's environmental footprint, including the effects of single-use plastics and trial emissions. She advocates for lifecycle assessments in healthcare and practical steps clinicians can take for a greener approach. Her insights emphasize that sustainability is integral to patient-centered care.
