Seeing Atherosclerosis: How Coronary Calcium Transforms Risk Assessment

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 models, and the role of interdisciplinary members such as dietitians, pharmacists, APPs, and health coaches. Guests also discuss what tools are truly moving the needle in 2026—from AI and remote monitoring to nutrition platforms—and where enthusiasm may be outpacing evidence. Additional topics include common reasons prevention programs fail, how to demonstrate value to health systems, and the evolving role of nutrition care in the GLP-1 era. The episode closes with rapid-fire insights on indispensable team members and high-impact patient tools, along with reflections on the future of scalable prevention. A practical, implementation-focused discussion for clinicians and leaders aiming to build prevention programs that actually work. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

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 calcium (CAC), Lp(a), apoB, and the evolving role of personalized risk assessment. The conversation also dives into practical strategies for applying the guidelines in real-world clinical practice, navigating treatment barriers, and improving long-term cardiovascular prevention. Listeners will gain expert insight into: • Key changes in the 2026 dyslipidemia guidelines • Treat-to-target vs. threshold-based therapy • Risk stratification using PREVENT, CAC, Lp(a), and apoB • Lipid management in women and younger patients • Cost, access, adherence, and emerging therapies • The future of preventive cardiology and systems-based care A must-listen episode for clinicians, trainees, and anyone passionate about advancing cardiovascular prevention. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

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 results, but the clinical context—what these trials mean for patient care, where they challenge existing paradigms, and how they may influence guidelines moving forward. From nuanced shifts in treatment thresholds to emerging therapies and implementation challenges, our trainee panel brings fresh, thoughtful perspectives from the frontlines of ACC. We also reflect on key themes across the late breakers, including personalization of prevention, residual risk, and advancing equity in cardiovascular care. Whether you’re looking for a high-yield summary or deeper clinical insight, this episode delivers a focused, trainee-driven breakdown of the trials everyone is talking about. Tune in for sharp analysis, practical takeaways, and what to watch next in prevention science. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

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 and guideline endorsement, CAC scoring remains underutilized in clinical practice. In this episode of "The Heart of Prevention," Dr. Michael Blaha and Dr. Khurram Nasir explore how CAC scoring transforms primary prevention from a population-based approach to truly personalized medicine. They discuss the "power of zero"—how the absence of coronary calcium can safely defer or avoid certain preventive therapies—and how elevated scores guide intensification of treatment, from statins to aspirin and beyond. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

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 atherosclerosis. Women with premature menopause face particularly heightened cardiovascular risk.  Dr. Lily Dastmalchi and Dr. Emily Lau discuss how clinicians can identify at-risk women through comprehensive cardiovascular risk stratification, including assessment of traditional risk factors and female-specific risk enhancers such as premature menopause and adverse pregnancy outcomes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].