Instructions for Authors

Home > Instructions for Authors

Instructions for Authors

Heart and Circulation Research (HCR) is an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing knowledge in cardiology and cardiovascular sciences. Authors are invited to submit high-quality manuscripts that contribute to clinical practice, research, and education in cardiovascular medicine.

I. Submission Process

Manuscripts should be submitted as a Microsoft Office Word (DOC) file electronically via the Editorial Office’s email.

A cover letter must accompany the submission, summarizing the manuscript’s importance and confirming that it has not been published or submitted elsewhere.

II. Manuscript Types

1. Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles present new findings from basic, translational, or clinical studies in cardiovascular medicine. Manuscripts should be concise but thorough, clearly outlining study objectives, methodology, results, and conclusions.

• Word limit: ≤5,000 words (excluding title page, abstract, tables, and references)

• Abstract: ≤300 words, structured under the headings Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions

• Keywords: Up to 5 terms selected from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) list

• References: ≤50

• Figures and tables: ≤8

2. Review Articles

Review Articles provide a scholarly synthesis of recent advances, ongoing debates, or emerging directions in cardiovascular science and clinical practice. Submissions should critically evaluate the literature and highlight future perspectives rather than merely summarizing existing knowledge.

• Word limit: ≤10,000 words (excluding title page, abstract, tables, and references)

• Abstract: ≤300 words, unstructured

• Keywords: Up to 5 MeSH terms

• References: No formal limit, but authors are encouraged to cite selectively and with balance

• Figures and tables: ≤8

3. Case Reports

Case Reports describe unique, rare, or educational clinical cases that provide important insights into the diagnosis, management, complications, or outcomes of cardiovascular diseases or interventions. Reports should present a clear clinical message and explain how the case contributes to current knowledge or clinical practice. Cases lacking novelty or educational significance are generally not considered.

• Word limit: ≤2,500 words (excluding title page, abstract, tables, and references)

• Abstract: ≤250 words, unstructured

• Keywords: Up to 5 MeSH terms 

• References: ≤20

• Figures and tables: ≤5

4. Editorials

Editorials are concise, opinion-based pieces that discuss important issues, recent publications, or evolving themes in cardiovascular medicine. They should aim to stimulate discussion and provide context for current developments.

• Word limit: ≤ 1,500 words (including references and figure legends)

• Abstract: Not required

• References: ≤10

• Figures/Tables: ≤3 figures or 1 simple table

III. Language and Formatting

• Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise English. Authors whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to have their work reviewed by a professional editing service prior to submission.

• All submissions should follow American English spelling and grammar conventions.

• Text must be prepared using Arial, 11-point font size, double spacing, and standard margins.

• The title page should include: article title, author names and affiliation, corresponding author (email address), Conflict of Interest Statement, Funding / Support Statement (if applicable).

• Headings should be organized hierarchically and consistently

• Abbreviations should be defined in full at first mention and used consistently thereafter.

• Figures and tables must be cited in the text in numerical order and submitted as separate files according to the journal’s guidelines.

• References should follow the journal's reference format described in Section IV. 

IV. References

HCR follows the Vancouver (ICMJE) reference style.

References should be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first cited in the text and identified by Arabic numerals. The reference list should appear at the end of the manuscript in numerical order and should not be arranged alphabetically.

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all references. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all references are accurate, complete, and correspond to existing published works. Authors should verify each reference against the original publication before manuscript submission. References generated or imported using reference management software or artificial intelligence tools must be carefully checked for accuracy. The journal reserves the right to request supporting documentation, require corrections before or after publication, and take appropriate editorial action, where necessary, in accordance with its publication policies and ethical standards.  

Journal titles should be abbreviated according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Catalog (PubMed). Article and book titles should be written in sentence case. List all authors when there are six or fewer authors. When there are more than six authors, list the first six authors followed by et al.

The use of reference management software (e.g., EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley) is strongly encouraged.

Whenever available, authors should provide the DOI for journal articles. References to unpublished data, personal communications, manuscripts submitted but not accepted, or other non-publicly available material should not be included in the reference list. Such information may be cited only within the text if essential. Internet sources may be cited when they originate from reliable organizations or official websites and should include the full URL and the date accessed.

Reference Examples

Journal Article

1. Agatston A, Janowitz WR, Hildner FJ, Zusmer NR, Viamonte A, Detrano R. Quantification of coronary artery calcium using ultrafast computed tomography.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 1990;15:827–32.

Book

2. Moscucci M, editor. Grossman & Baim's cardiac catheterization, angiography, and intervention. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2020.

Chapter in a Book

3. Moscucci M. Coronary Angiography. In: Moscucci M, editor. Grossman & Baim's cardiac catheterization, angiography, and intervention. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2020. p. 303–342.

Website

5. World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds). 2025 July 31. Accessed August 5, 2026.

V. Ethics and Integrity

The journal adheres to internationally recognized standards of research integrity and publication ethics. Research involving human participants or animals must include an ethics approval statement, and any conflicts of interest and sources of financial support must be disclosed.

VI. Peer Review and Editorial Process

All submissions undergo initial screening for scope, formatting, and ethical compliance. 

Manuscripts are evaluated through single-blind peer review by independent reviewer(s) and editorial decisions may be: accept, minor revision, major revision, or reject.

Authors are expected to revise and resubmit within the requested time frame.

VII. Publication Timeline

• Initial Screening: approximately 1–2 weeks 

• Peer Review: approximately 3–4 weeks 

• First Decision: approximately 4–6 weeks from submission 

• Revision Deadline: 2-3 weeks

• Final Decision: approximately 2–3 weeks after revision

• Online Publication: upon completion of editorial processing 

The above time frames are approximate and may vary depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity. 

VIII. Open Access and Copyright

HCR is an open access journal. Articles are freely available online immediately upon publication. All published papers become the permanent property of HCR. Commercial reuse is permitted only with prior approval from the publisher. Users are otherwise free to share and adapt the content under the following terms: attribution and non-commercial use.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding manuscript submission or journal policies, please contact:

Editorial Office
Hannah Burchhardt, Managing Editor
Heart and Circulation Research
Email: HCR.editorialoffice@gmail.com