The Beat podcast

Welcome to The Beat

Our new podcast from the Heart Foundation unpacks the latest research, news, and trends shaping Australia’s heart health. Each episode explores the big issues making headlines - from medical breakthroughs to public health debates - and what they mean for all of us.

Listen in

The gender gap in heart attack care

A major new Australian study has revealed that women are still missing out on life-saving treatment after a heart attack - and the gap could be costing hundreds of lives every year. In this episode, we speak with Professor Clara Chow about why these disparities persist, what the data tells us, and how Australia’s health system can do better for women’s hearts.

The arthritis drug offering new hope after a heart attack

Australian researchers have discovered that a drug already used to treat rheumatoid arthritis could hold the key to improving recovery after a heart attack. In this episode of The Beat, Dr Jonathan Noonan from the Baker Institute explains how the anti-inflammatory drug abatacept calms the immune system after a heart attack - helping the heart heal and potentially preventing heart failure in the future.

Can coffee be good for your heart?

Can your daily cup of coffee actually be good for your heart? New research from the University of Adelaide suggests that moderate coffee drinkers may have a lower risk of heart disease and even live longer. In this episode, we explore what’s really going on between caffeine and cardiovascular health - separating fact from froth. We speak with the study's author Professor Christopher Wong about what the evidence shows, how much coffee might be too much, and why your morning brew could be more than just a pick-me-up.

Australia’s ultra-processed food problem

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are everywhere - and growing evidence shows they’re harming our health. In this episode, we unpack the latest findings from the Lancet Ultra-Processed Foods Series, exploring what UPFs are, how they affect heart health, and why they dominate Australian diets.

We also look at a pivotal moment for Australia’s food system. The national food regulatory framework is under review, and proposed reforms to the FSANZ Act could allow ultra-processed foods into the market with less scrutiny - without public health protections built in.

Joined by Lancet Series co-author Dr Phillip Baker from the University of Sydney and Heart Foundation Senior Nutrition Advisor Nikita Muller, we examine what’s driving UPF consumption, which policy solutions are working overseas, and why transparency and strong public health safeguards in Australia’s food laws matter - so healthy choices become the easier choice.

Melatonin, sleep and the heart

A recent study has linked long-term melatonin use with higher rates of heart failure and hospitalisation, raising questions about whether a common sleep supplement could affect heart health.

In this episode of The Beat, leading cardiologist Professor Garry Jennings explains what the research does and doesn’t show, why association doesn’t mean causation, and how sleep problems and disrupted body clocks may be the real issue.

We unpack why sleep is so important for the heart, what melatonin actually does in the body, and what to consider if you’re using sleep aids regularly.