In this episode of AtheroTalk, we are honored to host Prof. John J.P. Kastelein, one of the most influential figures in lipidology and cardiovascular prevention.

With a career spanning decades of groundbreaking research and innovation, Prof. Kastelein shares his personal journey and reflects on the evolution of lipid-lowering therapy — from the early days of statins to today’s rapidly expanding pipeline of novel therapeutics.

Together, we explore the milestones that have shaped modern cardiovascular prevention, the lessons learned along the way, and the exciting future of precision lipid management. This conversation offers unique insights into the intersection of science, clinical practice, and drug development, from someone who has been at the forefront of it all.

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Script-prep: Fotis Barkas

Interviewer: Fotis Barkas

In this special global episode of AtheroTalk, the EAS Young Fellows move beyond their traditionally Europe-focused conversations to connect with Professor Rodrigo Alonso Karlezi in Chile, bringing a Latin American perspective to cardiovascular science. The discussion explores international advances in familial hypercholesterolaemia, and the power of international collaboration, while also addressing challenges faced in Latin America such as limited resources, differences in guidelines, and the need to build sustainable research networks. Reflecting on perseverance in global science, Prof. Karlezi reminds us that “no doesn’t mean ‘no’, it means ‘not yet’.”

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Script-prep: Pelin Golforoush

Interviewer: Pelin Golforoush

In this episode of AtheroTalk, we discuss with Prof. Gerald F. Watts, a leading world expert in the field of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) and Cardio-metabolic Medicine, about his professional journey, about national strategies and policies in FH and about how can young professionals achieve a successful career.

Prof. Watts shares his insights about the process of adding clinical meaning into research projects, his mentors and overcoming challenges. He also shares ways to address gaps in care, a fresh perspective on cardiometabolic prevention, methods of thinking and ideas that help researchers keep their research relevant.

Tune in and don’t miss the powerful motto that Prof. Watts has followed throughout his exceptional career – “discovery comes to the prepared mind”.

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Script-prep: Laura Gaita, Maria Giovanna Lupo

Interviewer: Laura Gaita

Our guest, Prof. Göran K. Hansson, has spent a lifetime advancing cardiovascular science while helping steward one of the world’s most prestigious scientific institutions. His work as a Professor at Karolinska Institutet and former Secretary General of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, bridges discovery, leadership, and recognition.

He reflects on his clinical and academic journey and opens a window into his long service on the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine.

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Script-prep: Alexandr Ceasovschih, Maria Cherska

Interviewer: Alexandr Ceasovschih

In this episode of AtheroTalk, we talk with Prof. Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, a clinician and cardiovascular researcher, about curiosity, purpose, and growing into a life in science. She shares insights from her work on cardiovascular disease and genetics, and offers honest reflections on mentorship, setbacks, and balancing research with clinical work. It’s an inspiring listen for students and early-career researchers, ending with a piece of advice that’s both simple and powerful: “One thing at a time.”

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Script-prep: Pelin Golforoush

Interviewer: Pelin Golforoush

In this AtheroTalk episode, Prof. Frederick Raal - a distinguished Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and one of the world’s leading experts in familial hypercholesterolemia - shares insights from his clinical and research journey.

He discusses balancing clinical duties with leading one of the largest HoFH cohorts globally, highlighting the importance of mentorship, curiosity, and disciplined time management.

Prof. Raal explains the expanding role of PCSK9 and ANGPTL3 inhibitors, emphasizing combination therapy as essential for HoFH.

He reflects also on unanswered questions regarding long-term safety of PCSK9 inhibitors, the promise and challenges of gene-editing approaches, and the urgent need to improve global access to advanced lipid-lowering therapies.

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Script-prep: Fotios Barkas

Interviewer: Fotios Barkas

In this episode of AtheroTalk, Prof. Ron Blankstein, a leading expert in cardiovascular imaging and prevention, discusses his professional journey, the power of coronary artery calcium scoring, innovations in cardiac CT, and the future of cardiovascular risk prediction.

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Script-prep: Tatyana Storozhenko

Interviewer: Tatyana Storozhenko

In this episode of the AtheroTalk, we speak with Dr Rohan Khera from the Yale School of Medicine - a leading expert in big data and artificial intelligence, and their applications in cardiovascular medicine. Are you curious about digital phenotyping? Do you want to know which AI-powered tools are already in use or soon will be in clinical practice? Did you know that a simple ECG recording can reveal far more about the heart than just its electrophysiological properties?

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Script-prep: Azin Kheirkhah, Jan Novák

Interviewer: Jan Novák

This episode explores the 2025 Focused Update of the 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidaemias, highlighting key changes in cardiovascular risk assessment, LDL-C targets, Lp(a) interpretation, and lipid-lowering strategies. Listeners gain practical insights into how these updates impact everyday clinical decision-making and the future of dyslipidaemia management.

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Script-prep: Fotios Barkas, Maria Cherska

Interviewer: Fotios Barkas, Maria Cherska

We sit down with Prof. Bart van de Sluis, Professor of Molecular Genetics and Translational Biology at the University of Groningen (UMCG). His research unravels the molecular mechanisms that control lipid metabolism and endo-lysosomal cholesterol transport, key processes in cardiometabolic diseases such as fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis.

Prof. van de Sluis leads a research group dedicated to understanding how receptor trafficking and inflammation are regulated, with a focus on the NF-κB signaling pathway. Using advanced cellular and mouse models, including CRISPR/Cas approaches, his team pushes the boundaries of molecular medicine. Beyond his research, he heads the Transgenic Mouse Clinic for Aging Research (CRISPR facility).

Join us as we talk about his scientific journey, the challenges of translational research, and his vision for the future of molecular biology and cardiovascular science.

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Script-prep: Hana Bartuskova, Maria Giovanna Lupo, Sanne Maas, Tatyana Storozhenko

Interviewer: Sanne Maas