January 2026

CARDIOVASCULAR

Introducing Northwestern Medicine heart conversations podcast series

Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations is a new podcast series from Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in collaboration with VuMedi, hosted by Clyde W. Yancy, MD, chief of Cardiology, and Jane E. Wilcox, MD, associate chief of Cardiology. See below for current episodes.

Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations: Surgical Repair and the Modern Management of Mitral Regurgitation

In this episode of Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations, podcast hosts Clyde W. Yancy, MD, and Jane E. Wilcox, MD, are joined by leading mitral valve expert Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, to explore the evolution of mitral valve therapies. Their conversation breaks down:
  • How advances in surgical techniques, transcatheter interventions and guideline-directed medical therapy are transforming outcomes
  • Why precise diagnosis, experienced care teams and a multidisciplinary approach are key to the best possible long-term results

Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations: Cardiovascular Risk in Women: Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, SCAD, and Menopausal Transition

Joining Clyde W. Yancy, MD, and Jane E. Wilcox, MD, is Priya M. Freaney, MD. As director of the Northwestern Medicine Women’s Heart Care Program, Dr. Freaney shares insights on:
  • Persistent disparities in the prevention, diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease in women
  • The importance of monitoring women’s cardiovascular health in all stages of life
  • Links between adverse pregnancy outcomes and postpartum risk factors with elevated long‑term cardiovascular disease risk
  • Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s dedicated initiatives that aim to improve cardiovascular care and address disparities

Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations: Dr. Patrick McCarthy on Building the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute — 20 Years of Innovation and Clinical Excellence

In this episode of Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations, Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, executive director of Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, joins the podcast hosts to reflect on 20 years of research, clinical care and innovations since the institute’s inception. This special episode highlights:
  • The essential elements required to build a legacy of excellence, including a focus on life-changing impact and commitment to improving outcomes
  • How the institute assembled a team of innovators and their approach to growing the next generation of leaders to ensure long-term excellence
  • How the institute will advance care over the next 20 years with AI, expanded clinical trials and the creation of specialized cardiovascular programs

Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations: Rethinking Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Prevention in the Era of Digital Health

In this third episode of Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations, the podcast hosts are joined by Rod S. Passman, MD, renowned electrophysiologist and director of Northwestern Medicine Center for Arrhythmia Research at Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. Together, they have an in-depth discussion on atrial fibrillation — how our understanding has evolved and where care is headed next. Their conversation explores:
  • How wearable technologies are transforming AFib detection and monitoring, including the opportunities and challenges they create for patients and clinicians
  • The limitations of current AFib risk scores and the growing recognition that not all AFib carries the same stroke risk
  • How current advances in technology and research are reshaping the way we think about AFib and personalized cardiovascular care

Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations: HFpEF Today: Why Most Heart Failure Is Preserved EF and What Clinicians Need to Do Differently

In this second episode of Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations, Sanjiv J. Shah, MD, director of Research and director of the Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) Program at Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, joins the hosts in the studio to discuss:
  • The rise in HFpEF diagnoses with HFpEF leading over 60% of heart failure diagnoses across the world
  • How exercise invasive hemodynamic tests can help physicians further evaluate the severity of heart failure in their patients
  • Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute’s treatment algorithm for diagnosing HFpEF using evidence-based therapies such as SGLT2 inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, GLP-1 RAs, and quad therapy

Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations: Turning Hard Cardiovascular Science into Heart-Centered Care

In this inaugural episode of Northwestern Medicine Heart Conversations:
  • Discover how this series translates rapidly advancing cardiovascular science into practical, bedside-ready insights clinicians can use today
  • Listen as they explore “taking the hard things in cardiovascular medicine and making them heart things.”

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