Peer review at Heart

Heart peer reviews most of the material it receives. Manuscripts will be returned directly to the authors after review by editorial staff should they not adhere to the journal’s instructions to authors. In addition the editor will reject manuscripts which are clearly unsuitable for publication in Heart immediately thereby allowing authors to submit elsewhere without delay.

The remaining articles are assigned to one of the Associate Editors who will send it to one or more external reviewers selected from a database of more than 5000 experts. The paper may also be sent to a specialist statistical reviewer.

Rapid Communications will undergo accelerated peer review by an Editorial Board Member and Associate Editor.

Reviewers and Associate Editors advise the Editor who is responsible for the final decision to accept or reject a manuscript. All papers considered for revision and/or acceptance are discussed by the weekly "Hanging Committee" which usually comprises the Editor, Deputy Editor and relevant Associate Editors; however, the Editor is responsible for the final decision to accept or reject a manuscript.

The Editor can enter into correspondence about papers rejected as being unsuitable for publication, although the Editor's decision in these matters is final. The Editor retains the customary right to determine style and, if necessary, to shorten material accepted for publication.

View more information about open peer review.