News and views

HEART UK held its 39th Annual Medical and Scientific Conference in Nottingham in July 2026, turning its attention to the widening gap between therapeutic capability and clinical delivery. Delegates heard first-in-human data on permanent genetic inactivation of PCSK9, practice-changing results for apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) inhibition, and a sobering account of the disadvantage women face in cardiovascular care....

News on ESH, hFRenDs (Heart Failure, Renal and Diabetes) conference, a tribute to Professor Eugene Braunwald, ESC Congress 2026, and congratulations to new appointments ....

‘Prevent today, thrive tomorrow’ was the theme for the British Society for Heart Failure 28th Annual Meeting, held in London on 20th–21st November 2025. It centred placing prevention, early detection, and equitable access at the heart of contemporary heart failure (HF) strategy. Across audit data, guideline updates, and trial presentations, a consistent message emerged: earlier diagnosis, rapid optimisation of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), and system-level reform are essential to improving long-term outcomes. The BSH Nurse Forum Author Board report report the meeting highlights....

Dear Sirs, Hypertension case-finding is a priority for the National Health Service (NHS) in England.1 Opportunistic testing of patients at community pharmacies, dentists and opticians is being implemented. These interventions may lack digital integration with primary care and fail to proactively reach those who do not routinely use healthcare or who are at greatest risk of cardiovascular disease. In 2023/24, a place-based partnership (population 334,000) received funding to implement a scalable case-finding intervention focused on addressing health inequality. A population health management (PHM) approach was adopted, leveraging patient data to facilitate a remotely delivered clinical intervention.2...

Dear Sirs, We thank Walker and colleagues for their interesting report of a 75-year-old man with platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) related to a large patent foramen ovale (PFO) with preferential shunting. The patient was under surveillance for aortic root dilatation (sinus of Valsalva 41 mm on presentation).1 We would like to further elaborate on, and highlight, the strong relationship between interatrial shunt-associated POS and aortic root pathology....

It is with great sadness that we mark the recent death of our friend and editorial board member, Professor Adrian Brady, aged 64....

Dear Sirs, We read with interest the article by Kam et al. describing delays to invasive coronary angiography for patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) admitted to hospitals without on-site catheterisation facilities in Southeast Scotland.1 Their findings reflect important logistical challenges in delivering timely care, particularly when inter-hospital transfer is required. However, such pressures are not exclusive to non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospitals....

The 20th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the Cardiorenal Forum united clinicians and researchers to share advances in cardiovascular renal and metabolic care. Under the theme ‘Working together to meet future needs’, it showcased new evidence, therapies and integrated care models shaping future practice. Drs Annette Chanzu and Sarah Birkhoelzer report its highlights....

We are delighted to announce that Dr Sarah Birkhoelzer is joining the British Journal of Cardiology editorial board representing Women in Cardiology....

The 38th Annual Medical and Scientific Conference hosted by HEART UK delivered a comprehensive programme on cardiovascular prevention across the life course. Held in the University of Warwick from 8th–10th July, sessions spanned future cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention strategies, cholesterol and brain health, while also offering fresh insights into obesity and inflammation as key drivers of cardiometabolic disease. Dr Andreas Tridimas reports its highlights....