Aha! With JAHA is a podcast where Science, Policy, and Practice intersect. The Journal of American Heart Association presents dynamic discussions with authors, key leaders, and policymakers around the latest science published in the journal. Tune in monthly for a new episode.
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Dr. Eva Rocha is joined by Dr Lauren Sansing (Yale School of Medicine) to recap the 2026 International Stroke Conference (ISC). Dr Sansing discusses the innovations made to this year's ISC to modernize the format and offer more opportunities for attendee engagement, and reviews key highlights like the release of the AHA/ASA 2026 Guideline for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke. Dr. Sansing also shares insights from her personal journey in the field of stroke research and...
Dr. Louise McCullough (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) joins Dr Eva Rocha to discuss her new article, "Exploring Sex Differences in Stroke Outcomes: A Comprehensive Analysis from the SPAN 1 Trial." This illuminating conversation covers the findings of the SPAN trial, which explores sex differences in stroke outcomes, particularly focusing on the role of estrogen, and the implications for clinical practice. Dr. McCullough also shares insights from her personal journey in the...
Catch up with the AHA's 2025 Distinguished Scientist honorees in conversation with JAHA's Editor-in-Chief Bruce Ovbiagele, and Deputy Editor Pamela Peterson. We spoke with these six brilliant scientists in person at AHA Scientific Sessions in New Orleans about their valuable contributions to their respective fields, their career journeys and advice for early career professionals, and their thoughts on the future of their cardiovascular research. The full video is available on the AHAScience YouT...
Dr. Reynolds discusses her research on sex differences in psychosocial factors and angina in chronic coronary disease. The study highlights how stress and depression independently contribute to angina severity, but women still report worse outcomes, even with less extensive disease. Findings emphasize the need for comprehensive, tailored management strategies for women and address the misconception that their symptoms are merely psychological.
Catch up with the AHA's 2024 Distinguished Scientist honorees in conversation with JAHA's Editor-in-Chief Bruce Ovbiagele, and Senior Associate Editor Katherine Wu, in our second annual Distinguished Hearts and Minds Roundtable. This year, we spoke with these brilliant scientists in person at AHA Scientific Sessions in Chicago about their vital contributions to their respective fields, their career journeys, and their thoughts on the future of cardiovascular and stroke research.
In this new episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Eva Rocha interviews Dr. Allison E. Gaffey (Yale School of Medicine; VA Connecticut Healthcare System) and Dr. Diana Wolfe (Albert Einstein College of Medicine) about the new AHA Scientific Statement, "Optimizing Psychological Health Across the Perinatal Period: An Update on Maternal Cardiovascular Health". They discuss the critical intersection of psychological health and cardiovascular health during the perinatal period and explore opportunities for c...
In this new episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Eva Rocha interviews Dr Richa Sharma (Yale School of Medicine) about her new JAHA article "Lipid-Lowering Therapy Use When Indicated and Subsequent Ischemic Stroke Severity." They discuss the potential impact of lipid-lowering therapy in mitigating stroke severity, as well as Dr Sharma's career journey and advice for trainees in her field. Read Dr Sharma's article here .
In this new episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Laxmi Mehta Rocha interviews Dr. Jennifer Peterson (Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing) about "Trisomy 21 and Congenital Heart Disease: Impact on Health and Functional Outcomes From Birth Through Adolescence: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, which she chaired. Dr Peterson discusses the complex ongoing health concerns for children with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and congenital heart disease from birth through adolescenc...
In this new episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Eva Rocha interviews Dr Tené Lewis (Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health) and Dr Zac Martin (Emory University) about their new JAHA article "Central Hemodynamics in African American Women: Examining the Role of Superwoman Schema Endorsement." Dr Lewis and Dr Martin discuss their collaboration at the intersection of social and cardiovascular sciences, and their finding that the Superwoman Schema, specifically the obligation to help others in...
In this new episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Eva Rocha interviews Dr. Adnan Qureshi (University of Missouri, Columbia, School of Medicine) about his new JAHA article ""Physician Transfer versus Patient Transfer for Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Dr. Qureshi discusses the role of mechanical thrombectomy in treating acute stroke and compares patient transfer and physician transfer as strategies for accessing this treatment. He ...
In this new episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Laxmi Mehta interviews, Dr Jagat Narula, President-Elect of the World Heart Federation and renowned physician, scientist and leader in academic medicine. They discuss pressing issues in cardiovascular medicine and emerging threats to the global health landscape, his advice to aspiring cardiovascular professionals and researchers, and his creative life outside of medicine.
In this episode, Dr. Eva Rocha interviews Dr. Janet Bettger and Dr Amy Towfighi about the HEADS-UP initiative, which aims to reduce disparities in stroke care. They discuss the goals and achievements of the initiative, as well as what to expect from the upcoming HEADS UP Symposium. They also discuss the HEADS UP 2023 Spotlight published in JAHA. They also share their personal journeys in the medical field and offer tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Estimated length: 30 min...
In this episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Laxmi Mehta interviews Dr. Luis Maldonado (University of Southern California) about his article "Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy are Linked to Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy among a Predominantly Low-Income U.S. Hispanic/Latina Pregnancy Cohort," just published in JAHA's Go Red for Women Spotlight. Dr Maldonado discusses the significant racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy complications, and reflects on his career journey and professio...
In this episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Laxmi Mehta interviews Robin Smits, a researcher at the Departments of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, and Public and Occupational Health at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre. Ms Smits discusses her article "Sex differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival trends," finding that the survival gap between men and women after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has actually widened further over time, and the necessity of developing strategies t...
In this new episode of Aha! with JAHA, Dr. Eva Rocha interviews Dr. James Weyhenmeyer and Dr. Seth Martin about the American Heart Association's Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Health Technologies and Innovation, an impressive initiative across 5 academic centers to promote the expansion and implementation of health technology to improve healthcare access, efficiency, and outcomes. Read the articles from all 5 centers of the SFRN in JAHA's Spotlight Health Technologies and Innov...
Dr. Tali Elfassy (University of Miami Miller School of Medicine) joins host Dr. Laxmi Mehta to discuss her new article in JAHA, "Life's Essential 8 and Incident Hypertension among US Hispanic and Latino Adults: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos." Dr. Elfassy talks about the importance of recognizing the diversity within the US Hispanic and Latino population when studying and treating their cardiovascular health. She also talks about her career trajectory in epidem...
Host Dr. Laxmi Mehta is joined by Dr Janet Wright, Director in the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention at the CDC, for a wide-ranging conversation about her transition from practicing cardiology to a career in federal service, where she develops health policy that impacts the quality of cardiovascular care for patients across the United States.
Catch up with the AHA's 2023 Distinguished Scientist honorees in conversation with JAHA's Editor-in- Chief Bruce Ovbiagele and Deputy Editor Pamela Peterson, in this special episode of the Aha! with JAHA podcast. In our first annual JAHA Distinguished Hearts and Minds roundtable, these eminent scientists discuss their extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular and stroke research, the future of research their varied fields, and share their wisdom for up-and-coming scientists. The full roundta...
Host Dr Laxmi Mehta is joined by Dr Sunil Rao, Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of Interventional Cardiology for the NYU Langone Health System to talk about his new review article in JAHA, "Acute Myocardial Infarction: Etiologies and Mimickers in Young Patients". Dr Rao also speaks about his career journey in interventional cardiology and shares his methods for avoiding burnout and maintaining personal wellbeing.
Host Dr Eva Rocha Ramos interviews Dr Sheila Martins, president of the World Stroke Organization, professor of Neurology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, head of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Moinhos de Vento Hospital and founder and president of the Brazilian Stroke Network. Dr Martins discusses her work to improve the lives of patients with stroke both regionally and globally, and her journey to becoming the first female, Brazilian, and Latin American president of the World Stro...
Host Eva Rocha Ramos interviews Dr Sunil A. Sheth from McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston about his recent article in JAHA, "Women with Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke Are Less Likely to Be Routed to Comprehensive Stroke Centers." Dr Sheth discusses the importance of addressing disparities in pre-hospital routing and avoiding gender biases in clinical practice, as well as his advice to trainees pursuing a career as a vascular and interventional neurologist. For the full ar...
Host Laxmi Mehta interviews Dr. Erin Michos from Johns Hopkins University about her review article "Role of Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1 Receptor Agonists in Achieving Weight Loss and Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes in People With Overweight and Obesity." Dr. Michos discusses how prescribing GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity can help preventive cardiologists reduce their patients' overall cardiovascular risk, and how engaging in self-care can help clinicians achieve better outcomes for their...
Hosts Laxmi Mehta and Eva Rocha interview Dr. Brian Olshansky from the University of Iowa about his study "Cardiovascular Benefits of Icosapent Ethyl in Patients With and Without Atrial Fibrillation in REDUCE‐IT," his path to becoming a renowned electrophysiologist, and his advice to trainees working toward a fulfilling career in medicine. Read Dr. Olshansky's study
