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The Cardiovascular CME podcast is a free educational offering from Mayo Clinic, featuring content geared towards physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who are interested in exploring a multitude of cardiology-related topics. Tune in and subscribe to explore today’s most pressing cardiology topics with your colleagues at Mayo Clinic and gain valuable insights that can be directly applied to your practice. No CME credit offered for podcast episodes at this time.
Episodes

38 minutes ago
38 minutes ago
Lipoprotein (a) Elevation: What Does it do to CV Risk and What do You Need to Know About Treatment
Guest: Vlad Vasile, M.D., Ph.D.
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.
Lipoprotein (a) is a blood biomarker that poses independent risk of heart attacks and stroke when elevated. All patients should be screened for this biomarker. Currently, there are no efficient treatments for lipoprotein (a) elevations, but likely the scenery will change as we will have treatments available in the near future. For now, we recommend a healthy lifestyle, medications that lower cholesterol, aspirin and screening of all first-degree relatives of patients with elevated lipoprotein (a), including children.
Topics Discussed:
- What is lipoprotein (a)?
- How does lipoprotein (a) increase cardiovascular risk?
- How do we treat lipoprotein (a) elevation?
- Do you screen children of patients with elevated lipoprotein (a)?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
How to Tell Patients about Adding in Intervals to Their Physical Activity Program
Guest: Kate Russell, C.E.P.
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.
Intervals are a hugely beneficial addition to any exercise program. As with any exercise topic, finding good information can be difficult and overwhelming. We will discuss how to modify intervals to fit patients of all ages, fitness levels, and limitations
Topics Discussed:
- How do I do intervals if I am unable to run?
- Should I base my intensity on heart rates?
- What’s more important, the length of the interval or the intensity?
Click here for the citation for the research article that Dr. Kopecky references, or see below:
Stamatakis E, Ahmadi M, Biswas RK, et al. Br J Sports Med Epub ahead of print: [01.13.2025]. doi:10.1136/ bjsports-2024-108484
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Role of Thrombophilia Testing in Venous Thromboembolism
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Role of Thrombophilia Testing in Venous Thromboembolism
Guest: Ana Casanegra, M.D., M.S.
Host: Kyle Klarich, M.D.
Thrombophilia testing identifies inherited or acquired conditions that increase the risk of abnormal blood clotting. Sometimes it can help us guide management decisions for patients, but who and when to test are key questions to address before making this decision.
Topics Discussed:
- What is thrombophilia, what is the difference with hypercoagulable states?
- Who should consider getting tested for thrombophilia, what does the testing process involve, and what to consider in preparation for it?
- How can the results of thrombophilia testing impact a person’s medical management and lifestyle?
- Are there downsides of thrombophilia testing?
Easily check your diet with mini-eat.org as discussed by Dr. Lara-Breitinger and Dr. Kopecky!
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Electrophysiology Considerations in Oncology Patients
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Electrophysiology Considerations in Oncology Patients
Guest: Nicholas Tan, M.D., M.S.
Host: Anthony H. Kashou, M.D.
In today’s episode of ECG Making Waves, Dr. Anthony Kashou interviews Dr. Nicholas Tan on how clinicians should consider electrophysiology in the patient with cancer. After listening to this episode, learners will understand the relationship between cancer and heart rhythm disorders, as well as begin to appreciate how cancer and arrhythmia treatments can interact.
Topics Discussed:
- Why are arrhythmias even relevant in cancer patients?
- What are some key arrhythmias associated with cancer or their therapies?
- What is a general approach towards managing arrhythmias in cancer patients?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Chronic Total Occlusion in 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Chronic Total Occlusion in 2025
Guest: Gregory Barsness, M.D.
Host: Malcolm Bell, M.D.
Chronic (>3 months) complete epicardial coronary obstructive lesions, often referred to as CTOs, are recognized in a large minority of those referred for coronary angiography yet historically represent <5% of coronary intervention attempts. Improving tools, techniques and strategies have allowed greater access to percutaneous management of symptomatic coronary disease with improved procedural safety and technical and clinical success.
Topics Discussed:
- What is a CTO and who do they affect?
- What are the management options for those with CTO?
- How are candidates for CTO PCI identified?
- What are the risks and anticipated clinical benefits of CTO PCI and can these be anticipated and results optimized?
- What does the future hold for those with symptomatic chronic coronary occlusions?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Supplements for Cardiovascular Prevention
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Supplements for Cardiovascular Prevention
Guest: Lisa M. Gilman, APRN, C.N.P.
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.
Supplement use is a growing industry in which patients seek additional potential benefit of reducing disease burden and improving overall health. This presentation will be an overview of supplements used to address cardiovascular disease prevention
Topics Discussed:
- Our patients will often inquire if there are any supplements that would help their heart health. How do you approach this topic?
- What supplements have been suggested to help improve cardiovascular health?
- Patients may ask, how do we know if we are purchasing a good supplement?
- Are there any other considerations to be thinking of to instruct our patients about supplements?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday May 27, 2025
Role of Genetics in the Heart Failure Clinic
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Role of Genetics in the Heart Failure Clinic
Guest: Naveen Pereira, M.D.
Host: Kyle Klarich, M.D.
Genetic testing for heart failure is most beneficial for patients with cardiomyopathies. It aids in personalized treatment, early diagnosis, and family risk assessment, although its uptake has been slow due to costs, access, and interpretation challenges. Ongoing research into genetic mutations and their role in cardiomyopathy pathophysiology could lead to new therapeutic targets and improved disease management.
Topics Discussed:
- Which patients with heart failure should get genetic testing?
- Why should genetic testing be performed?
- How is genetic testing performed?
- Why has there been a slow uptake in genetic testing for patients with cardiomyopathy? And what are some possible solutions?
- Can genetics provide new insight into the pathophysiology of disease, specifically cardiomyopathies?
- Can this information then be used to help developed new therapeutic targets?
- What are some of the uncertainties in the field that research should be focused on?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday May 20, 2025
Assessing Recurrence Following Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Assessing Recurrence Following Pulsed Field Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Guest: Nicholas Tan, M.D., M.S.
Host: Anthony H. Kashou, M.D.
Pulsed field ablation has been rapidly adopted across the United States since FDA approval was granted 1 year ago, due to its excellent acute efficacy, favorable safety profile, and fast workflow. However, recurrences post-ablation are comparable to that of previously established modalities, making this a significant hurdle that has yet to be overcome. Changes to mapping/ablation strategies, updates to PFA parameters, autonomic modulation, and combination modality ablations (PFA/RFA) offer some avenues for improvement
Topics Discussed:
- What is pulsed field ablation (PFA) and how does it differ from previously established modalities of ablation such as radiofrequency and cryoablation?
- What are the recurrence rates post-PFA and how do they compare with other modalities?
- In patients who undergo redo ablations following an index PFA procedure, what are the most common causes (i.e. reconnection of pulmonary veins versus new sites)?
- How do you think PFA will evolve in the coming years
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday May 13, 2025
Hybrid Procedures Collaboration with Interventional Cardiology
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Hybrid Procedures Collaboration with Interventional Cardiology
Guest: Jason Anderson, M.D.
Guest: Elizabeth Stephens, M.D., Ph.D.
Host: Malcolm Bell, M.D.
Increasingly, collaboration between interventional cardiology and congenital cardiac surgeons has been used to optimize care for patients with congenital heart disease. Multi-disciplinary care is key, and “hybrid” procedures can be part of that collaboration. Effective use of catheter-procedures can help decrease the number of cardiac operations for many patients and new technologies are continually being developed in this space.
Topics Discussed:
- What are “hybrid procedures” in cardiac surgery?
- What age and diagnoses of congenital heart disease patients are candidates for hybrid procedures?
- I’ve heard of the heart team approach or emphasis of multi-disciplinary approach at Mayo, what does that mean and is that important for parents and patients to look for?
- Can you discuss how you decide whether a surgical or catheter approach is better?
- A recent advancement is pulmonary flow regulators – can you explain what those are and how they have been used?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Interval Training – What Does the Science Tell Us About the Benefits Versus Continuous Activity
Guest: Amanda R. Bonikowske, Ph.D.
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.
Learners will gain insights into the health and fitness benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). They will explore various approaches to HIIT and learn strategies for integrating it into a well-rounded exercise program. Additionally, the podcast will offer a concise overview of current research on the enjoyment of HIIT and how this knowledge can inform effective HIIT prescriptions.
Topics Discussed:
- What are the benefits of HIIT?
- What are the different approaches to HIIT?
- How can HIIT be incorporated into a comprehensive exercise program?
- What do we know about enjoyment of HIIT?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.
LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services
Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.