Welcome to Heart Matters – Empowering Heart Health

About Us

Making Sense of Heart Health, Together.

As a practicing cardiologist, I have seen firsthand how overwhelming it can be for patients and families to navigate the world of cardiovascular care. Heart Matters was created to bridge that gap, offering trusted, expert backed guidance in a clear, human way. Here you will find practical explanations, current insights, and evidence based advice on a wide range of topics, from symptoms and conditions to tests, treatments, and prevention strategies. Our content spans articles, videos, and interviews, all designed to support informed, confident decisions in partnership with your healthcare team.

Whether you are here to learn about a recent diagnosis, prepare for a procedure, or simply take charge of your heart health, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

Prof. Peter Barlis Cardiologist & Founding Editor.

Heart Health Explained Simply. Always.

At Heart Matters, we’re more than just an information source. We believe in simplifying complex topics and guiding you with reliable, clear, and up-to-date content so you can feel more confident in understanding your heart health.

Up-to-Date

We keep pace with the latest in heart health to bring you accurate, easy to understand information. Our content avoids jargon and focuses on what matters most, helping you stay informed with trusted, current resources that support your understanding and confidence

Clear & Concise

Our articles are written with clarity in mind, making it easier to understand important heart health topics. We focus on delivering reliable, straightforward information that supports confident, informed decisions.

A Trusted Guide

We aim to provide dependable, current insights that make sense. By cutting through complex terms, we offer clear guidance to help you better understand your heart health. Our goal is to support your journey with information you can trust.

Selected Publications

Explore a curated collection of key publications from our research group, featuring peer-reviewed journals and authoritative textbooks trusted by interventional cardiologists worldwide. Our vast experience in the field of heart health guarantees access to valuable insights and knowledge, empowering you to enhance your cardiovascular understanding.

third edition, wiley publishing

Textbook of interventional cardiology

"Interventional Cardiology: Principles & Practice" is a leading textbook edited by Peter Barlis alongside other renowned interventional cardiologists, such as George Dangas from Mount Sinai New York, Carlo Di Mario from the University of Florence, and Holger Thiele from Germany's Leipzig Heart Centre. The book is published by Wiley Publishing and is currently in its third edition. Peter's vast experience and knowledge in the field of interventional cardiology have made him a respected authority, and his contributions to the book ensure that it remains a definitive resource for interventional cardiologists worldwide.

The book is intended for practicing interventional cardiologists, cardiology fellows, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease. It provides a detailed and practical overview of the field, with a focus on evidence-based practice and patient-centered care.

free full-text available

PhD thesis

Peter completed his PhD on the use of a novel imaging method to better examine coronary artery plaque and the optimal method of assessing heart stents. His thesis was published in 2009, following his studies at the Thoraxcenter in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, UK. Peter's work on the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been published worldwide and has contributed significantly to the field of interventional cardiology.

Peter's research on OCT has been particularly important in improving our understanding of coronary artery disease and developing better methods for assessing stents. He was the first cardiologist in Australia to introduce OCT to the country, and he has since pioneered and mentored many other centers in its use.

Overall, Peter's PhD thesis represents a significant contribution to the field of interventional cardiology, and his work on OCT has had a profound impact on our ability to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.

Book launching Dec 2025!

Heart stents: what you need to know

Drawing from extensive experience in interventional cardiology, Peter Barlis offers valuable insights on stent procedures, from preparation to surgery and recovery. This comprehensive e-book is an indispensable resource for individuals undergoing or researching heart stents. It serves as a trusted reference for interventional cardiologists, fellows, and healthcare professionals, empowering patients with accessible knowledge and fostering engagement.

Nature Reviews Cardiology article

Optical coherence tomography

The article provides a review of the state-of-the-art in cardiac optical coherence tomography (OCT) and its application in coronary atherosclerosis research and clinical practice. Over the past two decades, OCT has been widely adopted for percutaneous coronary intervention optimization and has seen significant advances in understanding in vivo vascular biology in the past decade. The article highlights the need for accurate interpretation and understanding of OCT findings for appropriate use, and aims to serve as a standard reference for future research and clinical application. The review draws on contributions from experienced clinicians and investigators worldwide, who have made substantial contributions to OCT research in cardiac imaging

nature Scientific Reports

Computational modelling

Endothelial shear stress (ESS) plays a key role in the clinical outcomes in native and stented segments; however, their implications in bypass grafts and especially in a synthetic biorestorative coronary artery bypass graft are yet unclear. This report aims to examine the interplay between ESS and the morphological alterations of a biorestorative coronary bypass graft in an animal model. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis in this report provided sophisticated physiological information that complements the anatomic assessment from imaging enabling a complete understanding of biorestorative graft pathophysiology.

European Heart journal

World-first new technology

Most invasive coronary imaging modalities only provide anatomical information from which physiologic significance is inferred. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and other physiologic indices of lesion severity are more reliable methods to identify physiologically significant lesions. Currently, accomplishing both anatomic and physiologic interrogation of an intermediate coronary stenosis requires the use of multiple devices within the coronary artery. This report highlights a breakthrough method using cardiac imaging and sophisticated engineering models to predict coronary artery disease severity led by Prof. Barlis and his research team.

Our Youtube Channel

Discover our Heart Matters YouTube channel, where we bring heart health to life. From explaining common conditions and symptoms to discussing the latest research, our engaging videos simplify complex topics, ensuring you have access to valuable knowledge for a healthier heart. Subscribe now and embark on a journey of education, empowerment, and inspiration.

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other anti-anginals

When first-line therapies for angina, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates, prove inadequate or are not well-tolerated, second-line therapies may be considered.
Perhexiline is a unique medication that enhances the heart's ability to utilize fatty acids for energy, reducing its reliance on oxygen and lowering oxygen demand. This action helps improve blood flow and alleviates chest pain in some patients with refractory angina.
Nicorandil is another second-line option with a dual mechanism of action. It opens potassium channels in smooth muscle cells, causing vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Additionally, nicorandil also stimulates nitric oxide release, further dilating blood vessels and reducing heart workload.
Trimetazidine is an anti-ischemic agent that improves cardiac efficiency by enhancing glucose metabolism and shifting the heart's energy production to a more oxygen-efficient process. As second-line therapies, these medications offer alternative approaches for managing angina in individuals who do not respond adequately to first-line treatments or those experiencing side effects from other medications.

lipid lowering therapies

Lipid-lowering therapies are essential in managing coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed. Among the most commonly prescribed treatments are statins, which reduce cholesterol production in the liver and significantly lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Other medications may be used to target different aspects of lipid metabolism:

  • Ezetimibe helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gut
  • Fibrates lower triglyceride levels
  • Niacin can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

In recent years, a newer class of medications known as PCSK9 inhibitors—such as Repatha (evolocumab)—has become available. These drugs block a specific enzyme involved in cholesterol regulation and can dramatically lower LDL cholesterol, particularly in patients who do not achieve target levels with statins alone.

Together, these therapies provide a range of options to personalise treatment and improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Nitrates

Nitrates for Angina Relief

Nitrates are widely used to treat angina and provide quick relief from chest pain. These medications are commonly available as sublingual sprays or tablets, skin patches, and long-acting tablets.

Nitrates work by dilating blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow and reduced vascular resistance. This reduces the heart’s workload and lowers its oxygen demand, offering prompt relief from angina symptoms.

Sublingual nitrates act quickly and are typically used at the onset of angina symptoms, while patches and long-acting tablets are used for ongoing prevention.

Common side effects include headaches, dizziness, and flushing. These often improve with continued use but should be discussed with a healthcare provider if persistent or bothersome.

calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, felodipine, Cardizem (diltiazem), and verapamil, are commonly prescribed for the treatment of angina.

These medications work by inhibiting the influx of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, causing them to relax. This relaxation leads to the widening of blood vessels, which improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure.

For individuals with angina, calcium channel blockers reduce the heart’s workload and oxygen demand, helping to relieve chest pain and prevent angina episodes.

While effective, they may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, facial flushing, and ankle swelling. These effects should be monitored and discussed with your healthcare provider if they persist.

Beta blockers

Beta blockers, such as metoprolol, propranolol, atenolol, carvedilol, and bisoprolol, play a crucial role in managing angina.

These medications work by blocking specific receptors in the heart, which slows the heart rate and reduces the strength of each contraction. This results in a lower oxygen demand by the heart and helps relieve chest pain associated with angina.

Beta blockers are highly effective in both relieving symptoms and preventing angina episodes. However, they may cause side effects in some individuals, including tiredness, worsened asthma symptoms, more vivid dreams, and erectile dysfunction in some males.

It is important to consult your healthcare provider to determine whether beta blockers are a suitable option for your angina and overall heart health.

Anti-platelet Medications

Anti-platelet medications play a crucial role in preventing blood clot formation and reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Commonly used agents include aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticagrelor.

 

Aspirin: This well-known medication inhibits platelet activation, reducing the likelihood that platelets will clump together and form clots. It is widely used for both primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

 

Clopidogrel: A potent anti-platelet agent, clopidogrel works by blocking specific receptors on platelets to prevent aggregation. It is commonly prescribed for patients with acute coronary syndrome, those undergoing stent placement, and some individuals with peripheral arterial disease.

 

Ticagrelor: Ticagrelor also inhibits platelet activation and is typically used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome. It is often prescribed alongside aspirin to provide dual anti-platelet therapy and further reduce the risk of heart-related events.