The Heart of Prevention

In this episode of  The Heart of Prevention , Dr. Keerthana Pakanati is joined by Dr. Neha Pagidipati (Duke University) and Misha Nazrollahzadeh (Joyce Health) to explore what it takes to translate cardiovascular prevention from guidelines into real-world practice. The conversation focuses on building effective prevention clinics, including essential team structures, scalable care models, and...

Join host Dr. Keerthana Pakanati for an in-depth discussion with two leaders in preventive cardiology, Dr. Roger Blumenthal and Dr. Ty Gluckman, as they break down the highly anticipated 2026 ACC/AHA/Multisociety Dyslipidemia Guidelines. In this episode, the panel explores the biggest updates shaping lipid management today, including LDL-C targets, the PREVENT risk score, coronary artery calcium (...

In this episode of  The Heart of Prevention , we zero in on the late-breaking clinical trials from ACC 2026 that are poised to shape the future of cardiovascular prevention. Featuring trainees who attended the conference, we unpack the most practice-changing data across lipid management, cardiometabolic therapies, and risk reduction strategies. Our discussion highlights not just the results,...

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for refining cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic individuals. A CAC score of zero is associated with extremely low event rates even among those with multiple risk factors, while elevated scores identify individuals who benefit most from preventive therapies. Yet despite robust evidence and guid...

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 athero...

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 statemen...

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...

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 a...

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 imp...

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 prevention...

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 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...

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 h...

This conversation explores the evolution and importance of preventive cardiology, highlighting the personal journeys of pioneers in the field, the challenges faced in establishing preventive programs, and the critical role of education and technology in enhancing patient care. The speakers emphasize the need for building trust with patients, optimizing lifestyle changes, and the future potential o...

This conversation delves into the critical role of preventive cardiology in improving cardiovascular health. The speakers, all leaders in the field, share their personal journeys, the importance of defining preventive cardiology, and the challenges faced in integrating prevention into clinical practice. They emphasize the need for a cultural shift towards prevention, the significance of mentorship...

The Heart of Prevention is a podcast that helps clinicians stay up to date on preventive cardiology. Hosted by Cardiovascular Disease Fellow Keerthana Pakanati, MD, each episode features leading experts discussing real-world strategies to prevent heart disease, from lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to medical treatments , including new therapies. This podcast explores emerging research, in...