European Heart Journal Formatting Requirements: Complete Author Guide

EHJ uses a structured abstract, but the structure is different from most clinical journals. This catches many authors.

Structured abstract headings:

• Aims
• Methods and Results (combined into one section)
• Conclusion (singular)

Abstract specifications:

• Word limit: 250 words for Clinical Research, Translational Research, and Basic Research articles
• Structure: Three mandatory headings as listed above
• Citations: Not allowed
• Trial registration: Include the registry identifier (ClinicalTrials.gov, EudraCT, etc.) at the end of the abstract for clinical trials

The combined "Methods and Results" heading is EHJ's most distinctive abstract feature. Most journals separate Methods and Results. EHJ combines them, which forces you to weave the study design into the findings. This takes practice. The idea is to present each method alongside its result, rather than describing all methods first and then all results.

Example flow for Methods and Results: "We enrolled 2,400 patients with heart failure (LVEF less than 40%) in a double-blind randomized trial. The primary endpoint of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization occurred in 18.2% of the treatment group vs 24.1% of the placebo group (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.61-0.85; P less than .001)."

Common mistake: Using "Objectives" or "Background" instead of "Aims." Using "Conclusions" (plural) instead of "Conclusion." EHJ's technical team will return manuscripts with incorrect abstract headings.

The Translational Perspective is EHJ's most unique formatting requirement and the element that distinguishes it from every other cardiology journal.

What it is: A boxed text of approximately 100-150 words that explains how the findings could translate to clinical practice, drug development, or future research. It appears as a visually highlighted element in the published article, typically on the first or second page.

Requirements:

• 100-150 words
• Written for clinicians and translational scientists
• Must connect the paper's findings to a practical clinical or research direction
• Should not simply restate the abstract conclusions
• Must be submitted as a separate section at the end of the manuscript

What makes a good Translational Perspective:

• Identifies a specific clinical application or next research step
• Mentions timelines or feasibility when possible
• Avoids vague statements like "further research is needed"
• Is concrete and actionable

Example: "Our finding that elevated sST2 levels predict decompensation 48 hours before clinical deterioration could enable a biomarker-guided early intervention strategy. A prospective trial testing sST2-triggered diuretic adjustment in ambulatory heart failure patients is now warranted. If validated, point-of-care sST2 testing could reduce heart failure readmissions by enabling preemptive outpatient treatment."

Example of what not to write: "These results advance our understanding of heart failure biomarkers and may have implications for future clinical practice. More studies are needed."

The Translational Perspective is peer-reviewed and may be revised based on reviewer suggestions. It's not an afterthought. Editors take it seriously because it drives engagement from EHJ's clinical readership.

EHJ allows up to 6 display items (figures and tables combined) in the main manuscript. This is tighter than some journals, so careful planning of your visual strategy is important.

Figure specifications:

Table requirements:

• Tables created in Word, not as images
• Every column must have a header
• Horizontal rules at top, bottom, and below headers only
• No vertical rules
• P values to 2-3 decimal places
• Hazard ratios and odds ratios with 95% CIs
• Abbreviations defined in table footnotes

Common figure types at EHJ:

• Kaplan-Meier survival curves (number at risk required below x-axis)
• Forest plots for subgroup analyses
• Central illustration (a summary figure that captures the study's main message, increasingly expected)
• CONSORT flow diagrams for randomized trials

Central Illustration: EHJ increasingly encourages a "Central Illustration" or "Structured Graphical Abstract" that summarizes the study's design and main finding in a single figure. This isn't technically mandatory, but most high-profile EHJ papers include one. It appears prominently in the article and on the journal's website.

EHJ uses Vancouver-style numbered references, which is standard for clinical medical journals.

In-text citations: Superscript numbers (e.g., "as reported previously^1,2"). Numbers are assigned in order of first appearance. Multiple citations separated by commas. Consecutive numbers can use an en dash: ^3-7.

Reference list format:

1. Smith AB, Jones CD, Williams EF. Title of article in sentence case. Eur Heart J 2025;46:1234-1242.

Key formatting details:

• Author names: Last name, then initials without periods (e.g., "Smith AB")
• List all authors for 6 or fewer. For 7+, list the first 6 followed by "et al"
• Journal names abbreviated per NLM standards
• Volume number followed by a colon and page range
• Year follows the journal abbreviation (no semicolon between volume and year in EHJ style)
• DOIs are encouraged but not required in the reference list

EHJ self-citation: Use "Eur Heart J" as the abbreviated journal name.

The soft reference cap is approximately 50 for Clinical Research articles. Reviews can go up to 100. EHJ editors won't reject a paper at 55 references, but 70+ for a 5,000-word article will draw attention.

Vancouver vs. AMA differences: EHJ's Vancouver style is close to AMA but not identical. Key differences: EHJ lists up to 6 authors before "et al" (AMA uses 6 as well, but some AMA implementations use 3). EHJ doesn't use semicolons between the year and volume in many citation formats. If you're using a reference manager, select "European Heart Journal" or "Vancouver" style, not "AMA."

EHJ uses the term "Supplementary Data" for online-only material. It's peer-reviewed and published alongside the article.

Supplementary Data contents:

• Supplementary Methods
• Supplementary Figures (labeled Supplementary Figure S1, etc.)
• Supplementary Tables (labeled Supplementary Table S1, etc.)
• Supplementary Videos
• Supplementary Data files (datasets, code)

Formatting rules:

• Compile into a single PDF for review
• Each item needs a title and legend
• In the main text, cite as "Supplementary data online, Figure S1"
• No strict page limit, but keep supplementary material focused

Clinical trial protocols: For trial papers, include the full or abbreviated protocol in the Supplementary Data if the Protocol Summary isn't sufficient. EHJ values transparency in trial reporting.

Data availability: EHJ requires a Data Availability Statement specifying where the data can be accessed. Individual patient-level data should be available upon reasonable request if not deposited in a repository.

Title page requirements:

• Full title (concise, no abbreviations)
• Author names with degrees and affiliations
• Corresponding author name, address, and email
• Word count (body text only)
• Number of figures and tables
• Sources of funding
• Conflict of interest disclosures
• Clinical trial registration number (if applicable)
• ORCID iD for corresponding author

Cover letter should include:

• A brief statement of the paper's main finding and significance
• Why the work fits EHJ's scope (clinical cardiology, translational cardiovascular science)
• Whether the work has been presented at a meeting (ESC Congress, AHA, ACC, etc.)
• Suggested reviewers (at least 3)
• Any related manuscripts under consideration

EHJ is published by the European Society of Cardiology, so papers with European patient populations or ESC guideline relevance may have a slight contextual advantage. That said, the journal publishes major trials from around the world. Your cover letter should focus on the clinical importance of the findings.

Translational Perspective is mandatory for research articles. Don't skip it or combine it with the conclusions. It's a separate section with specific formatting.

Combined Methods and Results in the abstract. This is the most common formatting error for first-time EHJ authors. Don't split them into separate headings.

Central Illustration encouraged. While not formally mandatory, the editorial team increasingly expects a Central Illustration. It's the first thing many readers see and significantly impacts the paper's visibility.

ORCID iDs. Required for the corresponding author. Encouraged for all co-authors.

Author contributions. Required. Can use CRediT taxonomy or free text.

Competing interests. All authors must complete a conflict of interest declaration. EHJ uses its own form, accessible through the submission system.

Ethics statements. Mandatory for all clinical research. Include the ethics committee name, approval number, and confirmation that informed consent was obtained.

CONSORT, STROBE, and other reporting guidelines. EHJ requires compliance with relevant reporting guidelines. The appropriate checklist should be submitted with the manuscript.

Abbreviations. Define at first use in both the abstract and the body text. EHJ maintains an accepted abbreviations list for common cardiovascular terms (LV, LVEF, MI, STEMI, PCI, etc.) that don't need definition.

Footnotes. EHJ allows footnotes, but use them sparingly. Author affiliations use numbered superscripts.

ESC guidelines references. When your paper relates to an existing ESC guideline, cite the relevant guideline. EHJ editors expect awareness of the ESC guideline landscape.

EHJ offers both subscription and open-access publication. Authors can choose to pay an APC for immediate open access under a CC BY license.

The current open-access APC for EHJ is approximately $4,000-$4,500. This is optional. Papers published under the subscription model are freely accessible after a 12-month embargo period.

Many European funders (Wellcome Trust, ERC, UKRI) require open access. If your funder mandates immediate OA, budget for the APC. Institutional agreements with Oxford University Press may cover or discount the fee.

1. Translational Perspective is separate and mandatory. Not a paragraph in the Discussion. Not optional. A dedicated, boxed section.

1. "Methods and Results" is one heading in the abstract. Not two. This catches nearly every first-time EHJ author.

1. "Aims" not "Objectives" or "Background." EHJ's abstract heading terminology is specific.

1. Central Illustration. Not mandatory but strongly expected. Prepare one.

1. 6 display items maximum. Figures plus tables. This is tighter than many journals. Plan carefully.

1. Number at risk in Kaplan-Meier curves. Expected for all survival analyses.

1. Clinical trial registration number in the abstract. Not just the title page.

1. ESC guideline awareness. If relevant guidelines exist, cite them.

1. Line numbers and double spacing. Required for the review manuscript.

1. ORCID iD for corresponding author. Won't proceed without it.