PCCS Unscripted

In this episode, Dr Sundhya Raman joins Dr Xenophon Kassianides to look beyond the familiar advice to “eat better and exercise” and ask a more useful question: what does the evidence for lifestyle medicine actually show? Using the CENTURY trial as a platform, they revisit evidence from intensive lifestyle interventions, looking at the combination of dietary change, exercise and wider support rathe...

In this episode, our host Xenophon Kassianides and Prof Clare Taylor, and Dr. Jim Moore discuss the changing landscape of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and what it means for primary care. They explore why HFpEF is often missed, how to recognise it in patients presenting with breathlessness and multimorbidity, and how newer evidence has changed the treatment conversation. T...

Join Dr Xenophon Kassianides, Prof Derek Connolly and Prof Kausik Ray for an overview of this Summer's insights and developments shaping CVD management. From clinical trial findings, to the importance of atherosclerosis and plaque regression and Lp(a). The evidence discussed continues to reinforce a familiar message: optimise CVD prevention, initiate treatment early and maintain therapy over...

The new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework sets out a long-term vision for reducing premature deaths from heart disease and stroke through earlier prevention, diagnosis and treatment and a more integrated cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic approach. Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by the framework’s clinical co-chair, Dr Jessica Randall-Carrick, to discuss what it means for primary car...

Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by Dr Paul Riley from Wide Way Medical Centre, whose Value-based Integrated Proactive approach to cardiovascular care won the PCCS Best QIP award, while the multidisciplinary planned care team behind it received Best Team. They explore how the practice moved from fragmented, single-condition reviews towards proactive and integrated cardiovascular risk management;...

In this episode, three members of the PCCS council come together to share their highlights and reflections from the recent European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Conference, British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) Conference and the American Diabetes Association Congress. Prof Derek Connolly, Consultant Cardiologist at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Dr Xenophon Kassianides, GP with an...

In this episode, Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by PCCS President Elect and Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Beverley Bostock, to discuss patient-centred care to manage breathlessness and cardiopulmonary conditions, key topics include: The importance of taking the time to take a thorough patient history, making every contact count How to use the cardiopulmonary risk matrix to consider if patients w...

Following their highly engaging sessions at the recent PCCS Spring Conference, Dr Hannah Wright and Dr Sundhya Raman join our podcast host, Dr Xenophon Kassianides, to discuss lifestyle medicine and obesity: Lifestyle medicine is an emotive topic: People living with obesity have often felt judged in a healthcare setting, how can we move away from the perception that obesity is a choice using the s...

We are delighted in this episode of the podcast, Dr Xenophon Kassianides was joined by Prof Derek Connolly and Prof Nick Harding to explore the future direction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) management in primary care. They discuss how proactive approaches can improve outcomes, alongside practical ways to drive and sustain change within practices and aim to empower teams to move from reactive ca...

In this episode, Dr Xenophon Kassianides and Prof Raj Thakkar explore how primary care is evolving. They cover key changes, including the 2025/26 QOF updates, and the growing shift from reactive care to a more proactive, preventative approach as well as what this means and why it matters for the future of general practice. If you are a UK practising healthcare professional and would like to learn...

In this weeks episode of PCCS Unscripted, Dr Xenophon Kassianides, is joined by Consultant nephrologist, Prof Kieran McCarfferty, to talk all things heart, kidneys and diabetes. CKD is common but often misunderstood or missed, and earlier detection can make a real difference. They discuss why CKD is overlooked, how to check for it in everyday practice, and why getting it right matters for long‑ter...

In this week’s episode, Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by Prof Raj Thakkar to explore the complex relationship between mental health and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Their discussion highlights the importance of addressing mental health within primary care, examines the physiological links between mental health conditions and CVD, and outlines effective approaches for managing patients experie...

In this weeks episode, Dr Xenophon Kassianides, Prof Derek Connolly, Beverley Bostock & Dr Paul Ferenc sit down together to discuss the updates to the NICE guideline  NG28: Type 2 diabetes in adults: management , which was updated on 18 February 2026. If you are a UK practising healthcare professional and would like to learn more about cardiovascular disease (CVD), please take a look at our on...

In this week’s episode, Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by Lifestyle Medicine Doctor, Dr Sundhya Raman, to delve into all things sleep. Together, they explore the different types of sleep and why each stage matters, break down the science behind quality rest, examine the impact of poor sleep on overall health, and share practical strategies to help improve a nightly routine. If you are a UK prac...

This week’s episode continues our exploration of revascularisation from last week’s podcast. Our host,  Dr Xenophon Kassianides , is joined by  Prof Derek Connolly, Beverley Bostock and Maria Glover  to  dive into all things cardiac rehabilitation , unpacking key questions such as: What is cardiac rehabilitation? What does this service aim to achieve? Why is cardiac rehabilitation considered a lif...

In this weeks episode Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by PCCS council members, Prof Derek Connolly and Dr Paul Ferenc, as they take a deep dive into revascularisation: when to think about it, how to approach it and why it is important. If you are a UK practising healthcare professional and would like to learn more about cardiovascular disease (CVD), please take a look at our online CVD academy h...

Please join Dr Xenophon Kassianides, Prof Derek Connolly and Dr Rani Khatib for a comprehensive recap of the progress in CVRM medicine during 2025: Outlining antiplatelet drugs and beta blockers post ACS Discussing the ESC guidelines update on cholesterol management, the importance of a full lipid profile and the evidence for combination therapy The evolving market of antihypertensive drugs The ob...

In our first episode of 2026, our podcast host Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by Prof Derek Connolly and Dr Rani Khatib to explore the rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and impart their recommendations on how to manage CVD holistically, focussing on identifying, addressing and optimising all risk factors. If you are a UK practising healthcare professional and would like to learn more about c...

In the final episode of 2026, members of the PCCS Council sit down together to recap the standout moments of the past year and chat about all the exciting things coming up next year. If you are a UK practising healthcare professional and would like to learn more about cardiovascular disease (CVD), please take a look at our online CVD academy here:  About the CVD Academy | Primary Care Cardiovascul...

In this week’s episode,  Dr Xenophon Kassianides  is joined by  Beverley Bostock and Prof Ahmet Fuat  for a slightly different style of conversation. Together, they focus on thinking about the guidelines and reflect on the role primary care plays in the implementation and driving meaningful change. If you are a UK practising healthcare professional and would like to learn more about cardiovascular...

In this week’s episode, Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by Prof Terry McCormack to explore the current state of hypertension in the UK and whats coming in the pipeline. Tune in for an insightful overview of current guidelines and treatment options, a look into future directions and the new guidelines relevant to peri-operative blood pressure management. If you are a UK practising healthcare prof...

In this week’s episode of PCCS Unscripted, Dr Xenophon Kassianides is joined by Dr Jim Moore and Prof Clare Taylor to discuss the updated NICE guidance for heart failure, released in September 2025. Our experts break down the most significant changes in the new recommendations and explore what these updates mean for the management of heart failure in primary care. If you are a UK practising health...

In this weeks PCCS Unscripted episode,  Dr Xenophon Kassianides  sits down with  George Smith, Honorary Consultant Vascular Surgeon , as they discuss  Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) . Through a discussion and case study, our faculty talk about how to manage PVD in patients, what information to include in referrals and the latest research in this area. George also recommends some useful resource...

In this week’s episode, Dr Xenophon Kassianides  is joined by Dr Hannah Wright and Mirek Skrypak to explore the importance of quality improvement (QI) in primary care. Our speakers share firsthand experiences of introducing QI initiatives in their roles and finding practical solutions to areas that are needing improvement. Throughout the podcast, they discuss how to get started with QI in primary...

In this weeks podcast episode, listen to  Dr Xen Kassianides, Beverley Bostock, Prof Derek Connolly & Dr Dipesh Patel  discuss the launch of the NICE draft guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes Management as well as the role of GLP1s in primary care.  If you are a UK practising healthcare professional and would like to learn more about cardiovascular disease (CVD), please take a look at our online CV...