Top 10 Cardiovascular and Heart Disease Journals

As the leading cause of morbidity among adults, heart disease is responsible for more than 17.9 million deaths globally per year.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the umbrella term for a range of diseases that affect the heart and its blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, heart rhythm issues (arrhythmias), congenital heart defects, heart valve disease, disease of the heart muscle and heart infection. Heart disease is also linked to strokes, aneurysms and an increased risk of dementia.

However, CVD as is largely a preventable disease (aside from congenital heart defects and a few other unavoidable risk factors – such as age, gender, ethnicity and family history), there is much that can be done to significantly reduce deaths worldwide from CVD.

So as a nod to February being National Heart Month (and Congenital Heart Defect Week), we’ve put together a list of the Top 10 heart disease/CVD journals. By continuing to build knowledge of this critical health issue and keeping up to date with research, medical professionals will be able to continue providing best practices for their patients.

Here you will find the top 10 Cardiovascular and Heart journals ranked by the 2-year Journal Impact Factor (2-JIF) – a measure of the frequency with which the articles within the journal are cited in a particular 2-year period. We have also included these other factors for each journal in our assessment to round off the picture.

Journal Metrics

Impact factor*

The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is based on Web of Science data and only includes documents such as articles and reviews. The JIF helps to understand the importance of how often articles are cited by addressing the bias that arises from comparing citation numbers. This bias tends to advantage bigger journals over smaller ones, those published more often over those with fewer issues, and older journals over newer ones. This is because larger or older journals usually have more articles to be cited. By considering the impact factor, we can more fairly compare journals by taking into account these differences in size, publication frequency, and age. A JIF of 3 or more is considered good and 1 is average.

CiteScore*

CiteScore is based on Scopus data for all indexed documents, including articles, letters and editorials, as well as articles and reviews. The CiteScore for a particular year is calculated by dividing the number of citations to all indexed documents within the journal from that year and the three preceding years by the total number of documents published in the journal within that same period.

*Impact factor and CiteScore have the most meaning when used to compare journals within the same therapeutic area. Many academics value a journal’s Impact Factor over its Citescore; therefore they will use the impact factor to rank other journals in the same field.

SCImago Journal Rank (SJR)

The SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) indicator evaluates the prestige of academic journals by considering not only the number of citations a journal receives but also the prestige of the journals that issue these citations. An SJR >1.0 is above average. This measurement can be helpful to rank journals within the same field and category.

Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP)

Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP) weights citations based on the total number of citations in a subject field to provide a contextual, subject-specific metric. A SNIP over 1.0 means a journal has more citations than average.

Other Journal considerations

In addition to SJR ranking and journal impact factor, a good quality journal generally has the following characteristics:

1. It is indexed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science or another reputable journal index.
2. It has an up-to-date website, a clear scope, extensive information for authors and readers, and a publicly visible editorial board consisting of appropriately qualified board members affiliated with accredited universities and research institutions.
3. Each article is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Top 10 Cardiovascular and Heart Disease Journals

Selecting the right journal for your research is a critical step that can make or break the impact of your work. This is where a medcomms agency like Rx Communications can become an essential ally. With a deep understanding of the scientific publishing world and high levels of therapeutic area expertise, a medcomms agency worth its salt should be able to provide support at any stage of the publishing process. This includes assisting in finding journals that match your research area and larger aims, and shaping your manuscript so it reflects the ethos and audience of your chosen journal, as well as guiding you through the entire submission process including managing revisions, and planning for post-publication promotion and dealing with rejection.

Rx can increase your chances of not just getting published, but also ensuring your research makes the waves it deserves.

Nature Reviews Cardiology

Nature Reviews Cardiology is a peer-reviewed journal covering all areas of cardiology. It offers detailed reviews of the latest research, clinical practices, and advancements in cardiovascular medicine. Aimed at cardiologists and healthcare professionals, it provides insights into complex issues and supports clinical decision-making.

• Website: https://www.nature.com/nrcardio/
• Impact Factor: 49.6
• CiteScore: 41.7
• SJR: 6.932
• SNIP: 6.405
• H-Index: 164

European Heart Journal

The European Heart Journal is a leading peer-reviewed journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in the field of cardiology. Published by the European Society of Cardiology, this journal focuses on cardiovascular medicine and the latest developments in this area. It aims to improve the quality of care for patients with cardiovascular diseases by disseminating important research findings, reviews, and guidelines that inform clinical practice and health policy.

• Website: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj
• Impact Factor: 39.3
• CiteScore: 29.2
• SJR: 3.450
• SNIP: 6.755
• H-Index: 329

Circulation

Circulation is a premier peer-reviewed journal published by the American Heart Association. It focuses on cardiovascular diseases and aims to advance the research, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. The journal publishes original research articles, reviews, and guidelines that are critical to clinicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals interested in the cardiovascular field. Circulation is dedicated to improving patient care and outcomes by providing insights into the latest developments and trends in heart health and disease management.

• Website: https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circ
• Impact Factor: 37.8
• CiteScore: 42.1
• SJR: 7.800
• SNIP: 6.144
• H-Index: 654

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) is a highly regarded, peer-reviewed journal that publishes significant research in the field of cardiology. Published by the American College of Cardiology, JACC provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of cardiovascular medicine, including basic research, clinical studies, and guidelines that inform the practice and management of heart diseases. The journal is dedicated to the advancement of cardiovascular health and the improvement of patient care, making it an essential resource for cardiologists, cardiovascular researchers, and healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions.

• Website: https://www.jacc.org/
• Impact Factor: 24.4
• CiteScore: 40.8
• SJR: 8.343
• SNIP: 6.424
• H-Index: 472

JAMA Cardiology

JAMA Cardiology is a renowned peer-reviewed journal published by the American Medical Association. It focuses on the latest advancements in the field of cardiology, including research, clinical practice, and policy relevant to cardiovascular health. The journal aims to disseminate critical findings that have the potential to impact the quality of care for patients with cardiovascular diseases and explores the latest advances in cardiovascular medicine, including the treatment of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and rhythm disorders.

• Website: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology
• Impact Factor: 24.0
• CiteScore: 41.2
• SJR: 7.371
• SNIP: 4.808
• H-Index: 99

Circulation Research

Circulation Research premier journal focused on the latest developments in cardiovascular research. It publishes articles on cardiac biology, vascular biology, and stroke, serving as a critical resource for scientists and clinicians in the cardiovascular field.

• Website: https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/res
• Impact Factor: 20.1
• CiteScore: 24.0
• SJR: 4.531
• SNIP: 3.534
• H-Index: 369

European Journal of Heart Failure

Published by the European Society of Cardiology, this journal covers the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of heart failure. It's known for its high-quality research and insightful reviews.

• Website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/18790844
• Impact Factor: 18.2
• CiteScore: 26.9
• SJR: 5.601
• SNIP: 3.679
• H-Index: 156

JACC: Heart Failure

JACC: Heart Failure focuses on all aspects of heart failure, including its pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. The journal is recognised for its high-quality research and reviews, providing insights into managing heart failure and improving patient outcomes.

• Website: https://www.jacc.org/journal/heart-failure
• Impact Factor: 13.0
• CiteScore: 22.4
• SJR: 5.352
• SNIP: 3.600
• H-Index: 92

Cardiovascular Research

An official journal of the European Society of Cardiology, it publishes basic and translational research in cardiovascular disease mechanisms and fosters innovation. Known for high-impact articles on cardiac metabolism, myocardial injury, and atherosclerosis.

• Website: https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres
• Impact Factor: 10.9
• CiteScore: 18.3
• SJR: 2.481
• SNIP: 1.982
• H-Index: 234

Basic Research in Cardiology

Basic Research in Cardiology is the official journal of the German Cardiac Society (DGK). Dedicated to cardiovascular research, this journal offers a forum for original and review articles in experimental cardiology. It covers the physiology and pathology of the heart and cardiovascular system.

• Website: https://link.springer.com/journal/395
• Impact Factor: 9.5
• CiteScore: 16.5
• SJR: 2.022
• SNIP: 1.712
• H-Index: 105

Publish or Perish - as true now as it ever was

In the high-stakes world of pharma and biotech, "Publish or Perish" isn't just a catchy phrase—it's the stark reality. For pharma companies and researchers, it's not enough to develop breakthroughs; the real challenge lies in getting those findings recognised in top journals. In this game, it's not just about playing your cards right; it's about having a seasoned player on your team. With Rx Communications in your corner, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance to make an impact with your research. Explore our Publications Support Services here.

How to Stay Up-to-Date with Cardiovascular & Heart Disease Research Developments

For pharma professionals and researchers working in the field of Cardiovascular and Heart disease, it is vital to stay abreast of the latest research advancements. To stay on top you might:

• Consider subscribing to our newsletter and receive updates to our top journal lists as well as other relevant industry and therapeutic developments as they happen.
• Register for an account with your selected journal to get direct access to new research as it's published.
• Customise an RSS feed for your selected journals to also further streamline the process, delivering the latest papers and articles directly to your digital doorstep.
• Setting up a Google alert with cardiovascular and heart research keywords to capture relevant news and studies from across the web.
• Lastly, don't underestimate the power of social media; by following the publishers and journals in the field, you'll tap into a community of shared knowledge and discourse.

* Article originally written by Erin Harrison and published in 2022, updated by Beth Howe and the Rx Team for 2024!