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In this episode, host Pablo Perel speaks with Mr. Girma Dessie and Dr. Andrew Moran about a powerful example of real-world cardiovascular implementation research from Ethiopia.

Mr. Dessie presents a recent study investigating why patients enrolled in a hypertension program were missing follow-up visits, despite strong program support and a standardized care model. The discussion covers the challenges of conducting field research in low-resource settings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest—and how their findings directly informed national health policy changes in Ethiopia.

Dr. Moran, co-author of the study and deputy editor of Global Heart, introduces the journal’s new section “Lessons from the Field,” aimed at amplifying implementation and operational research from low- and middle-income countries. He explains how this new platform will support practitioners and policymakers by bringing visibility to local innovations that improve cardiovascular care.

Tune in to learn how frontline research can drive evidence-based policy, improve retention in care, and shape global cardiovascular health strategies.

Read the featured paper in Global Heart:
Factors Associated with Hypertension Care Follow-Up in the Ethiopia HEARTS Program

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This episode is hosted by Sean Taylor, Director of Science and Public Health at the World Heart Federation, and Shreya Shrikhande, Science and Public Health Officer in the same team. They speak with two patients, Maria and Chandrima, who share their personal journeys with angina.

Although their experiences are different—one facing years of uncertainty, the other enduring rapid, severe symptoms—both describe the struggle to receive a diagnosis and to have their symptoms taken seriously. They discuss the ongoing impact of angina on their daily lives, including physical, emotional, and social challenges.

Their stories highlight the importance of recognising non-typical presentations, listening to patients, and ensuring better awareness and support for those living with angina.

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In this episode, we explore the key findings of the World Heart Report 2025, which focuses on obesity and cardiovascular disease. The report’s lead authors, Professor Mariachiara Di Cesare from the University of Essex and Professor Francisco Lopez-Jimenez from the Mayo Clinic, delve into why obesity remains one of the most neglected cardiovascular risk factors, how it directly contributes to heart disease, and what makes this report distinct from previous editions.

The conversation also highlights the biological and societal drivers of obesity, the need for stronger clinical and public health responses, and what current trends mean for global health systems.

Tune in to hear about the latest evidence, clinical recommendations, and public health insights shaping the global response to obesity and cardiovascular disease.