Beatwise The Podcast

Are heart failure patients being taken off life-saving medications too soon? In this episode of Beatwise: The Podcast , I sit down with expert clinical pharmacist Rhys Williams to tackle a critical yet often overlooked issue in heart failure management— - hyperkalemia.  Many patients are taken off life-saving RAS inhibitors due to high potassium levels, but is there a better way?  Rhys a...

What really happens during a heart attack? In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I am joined by Sophia Khattak, Clinical Research Fellow, to break down the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of heart attacks.  We dive into: Early warning signs: Why symptoms can be different for men and women Emergency response: What happens in the hospital & why acting fast saves live Life-saving tre...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Gabriella Captur, cardiologist and associate professor at University College London, to uncover the hidden dangers of noise pollution on heart health. We often think of pollution in terms of air or water, but did you know that environmental noise - especially from aircraft and traffic - could be silently harming your heart? 🚨 Dr. Captu...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Stephanie Saucier, Director of the Women's Heart Wellness Program at Hartford Hospital, to debunk the long-standing myth that heart disease is a "man's disease." Despite being the leading cause of death in women, cardiovascular disease remains widely misunderstood - especially when it comes to the unique risk factors that impact women di...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I sit down with Associate Professor Sonya Burgess, an interventional cardiologist and Associate Professor, to discuss the critical underrepresentation of women in cardiovascular clinical trials. We explore the shocking gender disparities in research and their impact on healthcare outcomes, ethics, and equity. From statins and cardiac devices to life-saving...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Will Watson, a clinical lecturer at the University of Cambridge with expertise in advanced heart failure and heart transplantation.  We take a deep dive into what advanced heart failure really means - how to recognize the symptoms, when to seek specialist care, and what treatment options are available. From early warning signs to l...

Are you or someone you love navigating menopause? Have you ever wondered how it impacts your overall health, work performance, and wellbeing? In this episode of Beatwise the Podcast , I’m joined by the esteemed gynecological oncology surgeon, Mr. Francis Gardner, to explore one of the most important yet often misunderstood topics in women’s health: menopause.  Together, we break down the biol...

Are you or someone you love navigating cancer treatment? Did you know your heart health plays a vital role in the process?  In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I sit down with Professor Charlotte Manisty, a world-renowned cardiologist and Head of Clinical Cardiovascular Science at UCL. She’s also the leader of the Cardio-Oncology service at Barts Heart Centre and University College Hosp...

What if we could prevent one of the world’s leading causes of death?  In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I chat with with Professor Amitava Banerjee, a renowned cardiologist and professor of clinical data science at University College London and we dive deep into the world of cardiovascular disease prevention  Together, we unpack the complexities of cardiovascular diseases, explor...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I’m joined by Dr. Alicja Jasinska Piadlo, a cardiology specialist registrar at Southern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland, for an in-depth conversation about heart failure.  Together, we discuss the complexities of this common but often misunderstood condition, offering practical advice for patients and their loved ones. From understand...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Ellen Fallows, Vice President of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and a GP based in Oxford, for a compelling discussion on one of the UK’s most pressing health challenges: obesity.  With over 60% of the population now classified as overweight or obese, we unpack the complexities behind this growing epidemic. From the contr...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I am joined by Helen Alexander a Physiotherapy Manager and Rehabilitation Lead, at Nuffield Health at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital to tackle the barriers that prevent so many from embracing physical activity.  Staying active with chronic health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, or heart failure can feel like an uphill battle.&nbsp...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I am joined by Professor Sonia Anand from McMaster University to discuss the transformative role of inclusive and sensitive language in healthcare. Together, we delve into our groundbreaking work published in Nature Reviews Cardiology, advocating for a cultural shift that prioritises respect, empathy, and dignity in patient communication. From the chal...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I speak with Professor John McMurray, a prominent cardiologist from Glasgow, about the remarkable benefits of Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.  Initially used to treat type 2 diabetes, these medications have shown revolutionary potential in managing heart failure and chronic kidney disease.  We explore how SGLT2 inhibitors work,...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast, I chat with the incredible Charlotte. Charlotte is a patient who was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. From her first symptoms to the life-changing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure, this conversation sheds light on the realities of facing heart disease. We discuss her journey through diagnosis, TAVI, and recovery! We talk about...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I am joined by Dr. Kevin Fernando (GP Partner at North Berwick Health Centre, GP with Specialist Interest in Diabetes/CVRM & Medical Education) for an in-depth look at managing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes and medical interventions.  We dive into what distinguishes type 1 from type 2 diabetes and break down the diagno...

In this episode of Beatwise The Podcast , I'm joined by Dr. Iain Simpson, an experienced interventional cardiologist and former president of the British Cardiovascular Society, to dive into the essentials of heart disease prevention. Together, we unpack why prioritising heart health is crucial for everyone, regardless of age or lifestyle. From understanding key risk factors like smoking, high bloo...

In this episode of the Beatwise Podcast, I sit down with Grace Gimson, co-founder and CEO of Holly Health, to explore how her innovative platform, Holly Health, is transforming preventative care.  From building a digital ecosystem that personalises wellness plans for sustainable lifestyle changes to working directly with primary care practices, Grace shares powerful insights into the future o...

Have you ever wondered how health information spreads through both traditional and social media?  In this episode, I sit down with Rod Whiting,  a media trainer and communications coach with over 40 years of experience as a broadcaster and journalist. Rod spent 25 years at the BBC as both a reporter and presenter, and now hosts a weekend show on Boom Radio. He’s also the founder and admi...

Welcome back to Beatwise The Podcast ! In this special episode, we’re tackling one of the most important aspects of managing your heart health - what questions should you ask your cardiologist?  I’m joined by Dr. Kaushika Rautray, who plays the role of a patient eager to learn the top 10 questions that will help you get the most out of your appointments. Together, we break down these key ques...

Welcome back to Beatwise The Podcast! Have you ever felt your heart race, skip a beat or flutter unexpectedly?  In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Professor Sabine Ernst, a leading expert in cardiac electrophysiology, to dive deep into the world of heart arrhythmias and how they’re diagnosed and treated. We discuss the common symptoms of palpitations and why they should never be i...

Welcome back to Beatwise The Podcast! In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Dr. David Ferreira, a renowned Australian cardiologist, to explore the real necessity of fasting before cardiac procedures.  We dive into current medical guidelines, the historical reasoning behind them, and the surprising evidence from the recent SCOFF trial that challenges these long-standing practices....

Welcome back to Beatwise The Podcast! In this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Professor Marianna Fontana from the National Amyloidosis Center as we dive deep into the world of cardiac amyloidosis. Together, we explore this complex condition, breaking down the two main types—ATTR and AL amyloidosis. Professor Fontana brings her knowledge to explain the symptoms and the critical importance of...

Welcome back to Beatwise The Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Nikola Srnic, a medical student from Alberta, Canada, currently pursuing a PhD at Oxford. Together, we explore a fascinating question: does your heart really care about the fat you eat?  We dive into the science behind dietary fats - good vs. bad fats -and how they impact your heart and liver health. Nikola shares ground-b...

Welcome back to Beatwise The Podcast! In this episode, I, your host, Sarah Birkhoelzer, sit down with the inspiring Dr. Sarah Kraus, Senior Clinical Researcher and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Capetown.   In this episode, we make sense of heart failure, breaking it down in a way that’s easy to understand.  We also dive into the World Heart Federation’s roadmap for tacklin...