The Heart of Prevention
The Heart of Prevention is a podcast for clinicians focused on preventive cardiology. Hosted by cardiovascular disease fellow Keerthana Pakanati, MD, it features leading experts discussing real-world strategies to prevent heart disease. Topics include lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, medical treatments, and new therapies. The show also covers emerging research, innovative technologies, and patient-centered approaches, offering practical tools for practice. It is aimed at medical students, residents, and practicing clinicians seeking to improve cardiovascular prevention.
Episodes
ASPC 2026 Congress Wrap-Up: Emerging Leaders on the Future of Prevention Part Two
In this special 2026 ASPC wrap-up episode of The Heart of Prevention, four emerging leaders in cardiovascular medicine who served as social media ambassadors for the Congress share their key takeaways from the meeting and discuss the latest advances shaping preventive cardiology.The conversation features Dr. Leonie Dupuis, a PGY-4 Cardiovascular Diseases Fellow at the University of N
ASPC 2026 Congress Wrap-Up: Emerging Leaders on the Future of Prevention Part One
In this special 2026 ASPC wrap-up episode of The Heart of Prevention, four emerging leaders in cardiovascular medicine who served as social media ambassadors for the Congress share their key takeaways from the meeting and discuss the latest advances shaping preventive cardiology.The conversation features Dr. Leonie Dupuis, a PGY-4 Cardiovascular Diseases Fellow at the University of N
South Asian CV Health Recording with Dr. Anurag Mehta + Dr. Maz Afaq
South Asians face one of the highest burdens of premature cardiovascular disease worldwide, yet many remain underrecognized by traditional risk assessment tools. In this episode of The Heart of Prevention, host Dr. Keerthana Pakanati is joined by Dr. Anurag Mehta (Emory University) and Dr. Mazhar Afaq (University of Kansas Health System), Co-Chairs of the South Asian Prevention Netwo
Prevention in Practice: Building What Actually Works
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 model
The 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines Playbook: From Evidence to Action
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 c
ACC 2026 Prevention Recap: Trainee Perspectives from the Frontlines
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 res
Seeing Atherosclerosis: How Coronary Calcium Transforms Risk Assessment
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
The Menopause Transition: A Critical Window for Cardiovascular Prevention
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
Before the Breaking Point: Preventing Heart Failure in the Modern Era
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
Women's Cardiovascular Health - The Pregnancy Connection
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 sign
Sports Cardiology: A Conversation About Performance and Prevention
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 elit
Beyond the Score - a Discussion of Cardiac Risk Scores and Risk Assessment
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
Building a Career in Prevention: Lessons from the Next Generation
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 prev
From Data to Diagnosis: Digital Health’s Impact Preventive Cardiology
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
Exploring ASPC 2025: Innovations in Preventive Cardiology
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 colch
Tailoring Dietary Recommendations for Better Health
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
Building a Preventive Cardiology Program from Scratch
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 po
The Case for Prevention: A Conversation with ASPC Presidents Current & Past
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 m
Welcome to the Heart of Prevention!
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 res
