The Heart of Prevention

Khurram (Kerem) Nasir, a preventive cardiology leader at Houston Methodist, and Michael Blaha, a Johns Hopkins cardiology and epidemiology researcher, discuss coronary artery calcium scoring. They explain what a CAC scan is. They cover who benefits most from scanning. They explore the “power of zero,” how to interpret low positive scores, when to repeat scans, and common misconceptions.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet the menopause transition—a critical period when cardiovascular risk accelerates—remains an underrecognized opportunity for prevention. The menopause transition is associated with central fat accumulation, insulin resistance, atherogenic lipid changes, and increased blood pressure—all of which contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis. Women with premature menopause face particularly heightened cardiovascular risk.  Dr. Lily Dastmalchi and Dr. Emily Lau discuss how clinicians can identify at-risk women through comprehensive cardiovascular risk stratification, including assessment of traditional risk factors and female-specific risk enhancers such as premature menopause and adverse pregnancy outcomes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heart failure affects nearly 7 million Americans, with projections reaching 11 million by 2050. Yet prevention remains our most powerful—and underutilized—strategy. In this special Heart Month episode, Dr. Martha Gulati and Dr. Anuradha Lala-Trindade explore the paradigm shift toward risk-based heart failure prevention. Drawing on their expertise as co-authors of the joint scientific statement from the Heart Failure Society of America and the American Society for Preventive Cardiology, they set the stage with this introductory episode to help clinicians understand the relationship between prevention and heart failure as well as providing real life tips. You don’t want to miss this!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pregnancy is more than a moment in time—it’s a powerful window into a woman’s future cardiovascular health. In this episode of The Heart of Prevention, we’re joined by leading experts Dr. Kardie Tobb and Dr. Monika Sanghavi to explore how adverse pregnancy outcomes like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery serve as early warning signs for future cardiovascular disease.We break down the science behind why pregnancy acts as a cardiovascular stress test, the mechanisms linking pregnancy complications to long-term risk, and how clinicians can translate this knowledge into meaningful prevention. From practical guidance on postpartum follow-up and risk stratification to addressing disparities in maternal cardiovascular outcomes, this conversation highlights why pregnancy history belongs at the center of every cardiovascular risk assessment.Dr. Tobb and Dr. Sanghavi also share their personal career journeys into cardio-obstetrics and women’s heart health, offering insight and inspiration for trainees and early-career clinicians interested in this rapidly evolving field.Whether you’re a cardiologist, OB/GYN, primary care provider, or trainee, this episode will challenge you to rethink how—and when—we start cardiovascular prevention in women.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Heart of Prevention, we sit down with sports cardiology experts Dr. Brad Petek and Dr. Nate Moulson to explore where performance meets prevention. From differentiating the “athlete’s heart” from early cardiomyopathy to navigating myocarditis, arrhythmias, and return-to-play decisions, we dive into the nuanced cardiovascular care of both elite and everyday athletes.We discuss evolving guidance after COVID-19, the role of cardiac MRI, shared decision-making in gray-zone cases, and how to think about prevention in a population often assumed to be “low risk.” Whether you’re caring for competitive athletes, weekend warriors, or highly active patients, this conversation offers practical insights, clinical pearls, and a forward-looking view of where sports cardiology is headed.A must-listen for clinicians passionate about prevention, exercise, and optimizing heart health across the lifespan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Heart of Prevention, we go beyond the numbers to explore how cardiac risk scores are used—and sometimes misused—in everyday clinical practice. We break down the most common cardiovascular risk calculators, discuss what they measure, and examine their strengths and limitations across diverse patient populations. Most importantly, we focus on practical implementation, showing how risk scores should inform—not replace—clinical judgment. We highlight how integrating risk scores with patient context, shared decision-making, and preventive strategies leads to a more accurate assessment of overall cardiovascular risk and more personalized prevention plans.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, host Dr. Keerthana Pakanati sits down with three rising leaders in preventive cardiology—Dr. Ramzi Dudum, Dr. Suvasini Lakshmanan, and Dr. Priyanka Satish—for an energizing conversation about early-career growth, mentorship, shaping the future of prevention, and the evolving landscape of cardiovascular health.Together, they discuss:What drew them to the field of preventionKey skills every preventive cardiologist should buildMyths about early career lifeThe role of digital health and innovationTheir “dream” prevention projects and the future of collaborationThis episode offers an inspiring look at the next generation of preventive cardiology and the shared commitment to advancing patient care, implementation science, and health equity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this engaging conversation, experts in digital health discuss their personal journeys, the role of wearables and remote patient monitoring in cardiovascular care, and the importance of patient agency. They address the challenges of health disparities and emphasize the need for advocacy and real-world evidence in advancing digital health. The discussion also highlights opportunities for trainees in the field and envisions the future of digital health and prevention in cardiology.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Backgrounds01:42 Personal Journeys in Cardiology and Digital Health07:19 The Role of Wearables and Remote Patient Monitoring12:05 Patient Agency and the Future of Digital Health19:09 Urgency in Cardiovascular Prevention20:42 Addressing Health Disparities in Digital Health31:10 Navigating Digital Health for Trainees37:24 Future Opportunities in Digital HealthSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode we bring you highlights of ASPC 2025, focusing on innovative training, key participants, and significant advancements in preventive cardiology. The discussion covers insights from the ASPC Training Academy, notable award presentations, and the growing importance of lipoprotein(a) in cardiovascular risk assessment. Debates on systolic blood pressure goals, the role of colchicine in secondary prevention, and the comparison between APO-B and LDL-C measurements are explored. The conversation concludes with a look at the potential of AI technology in enhancing preventive cardiology practices. This conversation delves into the intersection of generative AI and healthcare, exploring its potential benefits and challenges, particularly in preventive cardiology. The discussion highlights the importance of health equity, the role of polygenic risk scores and imaging in patient assessment, and the ongoing debate surrounding hormone replacement therapy. The speakers also reflect on career development in preventive cardiology, emphasizing the diverse paths available. Additionally, the conversation expands the scope of cardiovascular prevention to include heart failure and atrial fibrillation, while also addressing the unique cardiovascular risks faced by women throughout their lives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, experts in preventive cardiology discuss the critical role of nutrition in patient care, emphasizing the importance of dietary recommendations tailored to individual needs. They explore the journey of integrating nutrition into medical practice, the challenges of combating misinformation, and the necessity of educating future healthcare providers about the impact of diet on health outcomes. The discussion highlights the significance of sustainability in dietary changes and the collaborative efforts required to support patients in making lasting lifestyle modifications.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.