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Heart Podcast

Heart Podcast

BMJ Group 316 Episodes Oct 20, 2026

The Heart Podcast offers the latest insights and developments in cardiovascular medicine, featuring in-depth interviews with renowned authors and experts. It covers advances in cardiovascular research and treatments, and is produced by the BMJ Group and the British Cardiovascular Society. The podcast is hosted by Professor James Rudd and is published twice a month.

Episodes

Conduction system pacing - a primer for everyone from Professor Kenneth Ellenbogen
Conduction system pacing - a primer for everyone from Professor Kenneth Ellenbogen Oct 20, 2026 1123 In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor Professor James Rudd is joined by Professor Kenneth Ellenbogen from Virginia Commonwealth University. They discuss what conduction system pacing is and why it's needed, including the downsides of standard right ventricular apical pacing and coronary sinus pacing. They also discuss what pacing might look like in ten years, including fully l
The prognostic benefit of complete revascularization assessed using fractional flow reserve CT
The prognostic benefit of complete revascularization assessed using fractional flow reserve CT Oct 6, 2026 1098 In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Kristian Madsen from Esbjerg in Denmark. They discuss his publication concerning whether there are any persistent benefits of complete revascularisation at diagnosis for patients with stable angina. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a positive review wherever you get your podcasts. It helps us to
Syncope - the essentials
Syncope - the essentials Sep 22, 2026 1012 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 th
How should we manage elevated blood pressure in the in-patient setting?
How should we manage elevated blood pressure in the in-patient setting? Sep 8, 2026 991 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 p
Computational Models in Cardiovascular Disease
Computational Models in Cardiovascular Disease Aug 25, 2026 1108 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 y
What is prehabilitation before cardiac surgery?
What is prehabilitation before cardiac surgery? Aug 11, 2026 1087 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 po
What best explains the reduction in mortality after a heart attack over the last 15 years?
What best explains the reduction in mortality after a heart attack over the last 15 years? Jul 28, 2026 1086 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 interven
What's the best way to screen for atrial fibrillation?
What's the best way to screen for atrial fibrillation? Jul 14, 2026 1391 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 t
Can exercise lower your risk of AF?
Can exercise lower your risk of AF? Jun 30, 2026 1725 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 recurr
Beyond the weight: how obesity drugs and bariatric surgery are changing cardiovascular medicine
Beyond the weight: how obesity drugs and bariatric surgery are changing cardiovascular medicine Jun 16, 2026 1558 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 fi
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction plus AF - challenges and opportunities
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction plus AF - challenges and opportunities Jun 2, 2026 1840 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 em
Can routine cardiac CT in patients with acute coronary syndrome and prior bypass grafts improve clinical decisions?
Can routine cardiac CT in patients with acute coronary syndrome and prior bypass grafts improve clinical decisions? May 19, 2026 889 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

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