Introduction

The Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology (JCMC) is dedicated to publishing cutting-edge research that significantly contributes to the advancement of cardiovascular science and medicine. We strive to provide an inclusive platform where scientific discoveries can be freely shared, in line with our open-access policy. As part of our commitment to transparency and academic rigor, we have developed detailed author guidelines to ensure that every manuscript adheres to the highest standards of ethical practice and scientific integrity.

JCMC places a high value on ethical conduct, and all contributors — authors, reviewers, editors, and readers — are expected to familiarize themselves with these guidelines to ensure a smooth submission and publication process. These guidelines are also designed to align with the rules and regulations of major indexing bodies such as DOAJ, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, which require adherence to strict publishing and ethical standards.

By following these guidelines, authors can contribute to maintaining the journal’s reputation for academic excellence. In addition, this commitment to quality ensures that the research published in JCMC has a lasting impact on the cardiovascular research community, helping to advance treatment, diagnosis, and prevention in cardiovascular medicine.

Manuscript Structure

The structure of a manuscript is critical to ensuring clarity and facilitating peer review, discoverability, and eventual publication. Authors submitting to JCMC must follow the prescribed manuscript structure to maintain consistency across articles and enhance readability.

1. Title Page: The title page should include the full manuscript title, author names, institutional affiliations, and the contact information of the corresponding author. A concise running title may be included if deemed necessary by the authors. Ensure that author affiliations are linked clearly to the corresponding author.
2. Abstract: The abstract must succinctly summarize the key aspects of the research, including the objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. Structured abstracts are preferred, using the following headings: Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. The abstract should not exceed 250 words and should be crafted to provide a clear overview of the study without reference to the main text or citations.
3. Keywords: Provide 4-6 relevant keywords that accurately capture the core topics of the study. Keywords are essential for enhancing discoverability in research databases.
4. Introduction: The introduction should provide the context and rationale for the research, clearly explaining the study’s objectives and its relevance within the broader field of cardiovascular medicine. Authors should ensure that the introduction provides sufficient background to situate the study within the existing literature.
5. Materials and Methods: Clearly describe the study design, data collection procedures, and statistical methods used in the research. This section should be detailed enough to allow replication of the study by other researchers.
6. Results: Present the findings of the study in a logical sequence. The results should be clearly described, with appropriate use of figures and tables to support the data. Ensure that each result is explained without interpretation, which should be reserved for the discussion section.
7. Discussion: Interpret the significance of the results, comparing them with existing literature and highlighting the implications of the findings. The discussion should provide context for the results, discussing how they contribute to the field of cardiovascular medicine.
8. Acknowledgments: Recognize individuals or organizations that contributed to the research but are not listed as authors.
9. Conflict of Interest Statement: Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could be perceived to influence the research.
10. References: All references should follow a consistent citation style, preferably Vancouver or APA, to ensure ease of use and compatibility with major databases.

Abstract Requirements

The abstract is a critical part of a research paper, serving as the first point of contact for readers and indexers. A well-crafted abstract can enhance the visibility of the research and increase the likelihood of the paper being cited. JCMC requires that all abstracts adhere to the following guidelines to ensure compatibility with the standards of major indexing bodies such as PubMed and Scopus.

1. Length: Abstracts should not exceed 250 words to maintain clarity and conciseness. The length limit ensures that the abstract is focused and informative, providing all necessary details without overwhelming the reader.
2. Structure: JCMC requires structured abstracts that include the following headings: Objective, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. This format helps readers quickly locate key information and enhances the abstract’s discoverability in databases.
3. Content: The abstract should provide a clear overview of the study, summarizing its purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications. It should stand alone, meaning that the reader should be able to understand the essence of the research without referencing the main text. Citations or references to the main body of the text should not be included.
4. Keywords: Authors are required to provide 4-6 relevant keywords that describe the key themes of the research. Selecting the right keywords is crucial for increasing the visibility of the paper in databases and search engines.

By adhering to these abstract guidelines, authors ensure that their research is easily discoverable and accessible to a wider audience. This enhances the paper’s potential for impact and citation.

Figures and Tables

Figures and tables play an essential role in enhancing the clarity and presentation of research data. At JCMC, we encourage the inclusion of high-quality visuals to help readers interpret the research findings. The following guidelines will help ensure that all figures and tables are presented in a format that is both accessible and compatible with major indexing bodies.

1. Figures: Authors must submit high-resolution figures (at least 300 dpi) in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF formats. Each figure should be numbered consecutively in the order it appears in the text and must include a concise, descriptive caption. Figures should be self-explanatory, meaning that the reader should understand the content of the figure without having to refer to the text.
2. Tables: Tables should be created in Word or Excel and formatted for clarity and readability. Each table should be accompanied by a descriptive title and numbered consecutively. Footnotes may be included to clarify abbreviations or symbols used within the table. Tables should be placed within the relevant section of the manuscript for easy reference.
3. Permissions: If figures or tables have been previously published, authors must obtain written permission to reuse them. Proper attribution must be provided in the figure or table caption, and the original source should be cited appropriately.

By following these guidelines, authors will ensure that their visuals are presented in a professional and accessible manner, increasing the overall quality of the manuscript and its compliance with indexing standards.

Submission Process

The manuscript submission process at JCMC is designed to be straightforward and efficient, ensuring a smooth experience for authors. All submissions must be made through the journal’s online submission system to streamline the review and publication process. Here’s what authors need to know:

1. Online Submission: Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission platform. The system allows authors to upload their manuscript, figures, tables, and supplementary materials in one go. Authors should ensure that their contact information is up-to-date for future correspondence.
2. Cover Letter: A cover letter is required with every submission. The cover letter should provide a brief description of the study's significance and affirm that the manuscript is original, has not been published elsewhere, and is not under consideration by any other journal.
3. File Format: Manuscripts should be submitted in either Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or LaTeX format. Supplementary files, such as figures and tables, must be submitted in their original formats (JPEG, PNG, TIFF for images, and Word or Excel for tables).
4. Submission Confirmation: Upon submission, authors will receive a confirmation email containing a tracking number. This tracking number will be used for all future correspondence regarding the manuscript.

By adhering to these submission guidelines, authors will ensure a smooth review process, increasing the chances of their manuscript being accepted for publication in JCMC.

Open Access Policy

The Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology (JCMC) operates under a Gold Open Access model, which ensures that all published articles are freely accessible to readers worldwide immediately upon publication. This model allows researchers, practitioners, and the public to access cutting-edge research without any paywall restrictions, promoting a broader dissemination of knowledge.

JCMC articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), which allows others to share, remix, and adapt the work, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors. This type of licensing encourages collaboration and innovation by enabling the academic community to build upon the work while ensuring that the original contributions are properly attributed.

The journal upholds its commitment to open access by ensuring that authors retain the copyright to their work, furthering their ability to distribute and promote their research freely. We believe that open access publishing is vital to advancing global cardiovascular health research, as it removes barriers to knowledge, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and increases the potential for research impact. Our open access policy aligns with our goal of enhancing scientific communication within the cardiovascular research community.

Ethical Guidelines

JCMC is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical standards in academic publishing. To uphold the integrity of the research published, all manuscripts must adhere to strict ethical guidelines. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable, and the journal employs advanced plagiarism detection software to ensure that all submissions are original works. Authors are required to properly attribute all sources and must not engage in self-plagiarism by resubmitting previously published work without appropriate acknowledgment.

For research involving human or animal subjects, authors must obtain ethical approval from an institutional review board (IRB) or an equivalent ethics committee. The approval documentation must be provided upon submission. Additionally, authors must ensure that informed consent has been obtained from all human participants involved in the study, following ethical guidelines on research with human subjects.

JCMC expects authors to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, whether financial or non-financial, to avoid any bias in the research process. Editors and reviewers must also adhere to strict ethical guidelines to ensure an unbiased and fair review process. Failure to meet these ethical standards may result in manuscript rejection or retraction.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

As part of its commitment to the Gold Open Access model, JCMC charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) to cover the costs associated with the publication process, including peer review, copyediting, production, and hosting of the article. The APC ensures that all articles are freely accessible to readers worldwide, without any subscription fees.

The APC for JCMC is competitive and reflects the high quality of services provided by the journal. Details about the APC fees can be found on the journal’s website, and authors are encouraged to review this information prior to submission. JCMC offers waivers or discounts on APCs for authors from low- and middle-income countries, as well as in cases of financial hardship. Waiver requests should be submitted during the manuscript submission process, and the editorial team will assess each request on a case-by-case basis.

JCMC believes in promoting equal opportunities for all researchers, regardless of their financial situation, and strives to support authors through flexible APC arrangements when possible. The goal is to ensure that high-quality research can be published and made widely accessible, without the barrier of publication costs.

Peer Review Process

The peer review process at JCMC is designed to maintain the journal’s high standards of scientific rigor and objectivity. JCMC employs a double-blind peer review process, where both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous. This process helps eliminate bias, ensuring that the research is judged solely on its merits and contribution to the field of cardiovascular medicine.

Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial assessment by the editorial team to determine its suitability for the journal. Manuscripts that meet the journal’s standards are then sent to at least two independent experts in the field for thorough evaluation. These reviewers assess the manuscript’s scientific quality, originality, methodology, and relevance to cardiovascular medicine.

The review process typically takes between 4-6 weeks, although this may vary depending on the availability of reviewers. Based on the feedback from the reviewers, the editor will communicate one of four decisions: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject. If revisions are required, authors are expected to address all reviewer comments and resubmit the revised manuscript within the stipulated time frame, along with a detailed response to each point raised by the reviewers.

Additional Information

To ensure the highest standards of transparency and reproducibility, JCMC encourages authors to make their research data publicly available by depositing it in recognized data repositories. This practice allows other researchers to verify and build upon the findings, contributing to the advancement of cardiovascular science. Authors should include a Data Availability Statement in their manuscript, indicating where and how the data can be accessed.

Authorship criteria must be strictly followed, and all individuals listed as authors must have made significant contributions to the study. JCMC adheres to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) guidelines on authorship. Each author should have participated in the design, execution, analysis, and/or interpretation of the research, and all authors must approve the final manuscript before submission.

In cases where significant errors are identified post-publication, JCMC will issue corrections or retractions to safeguard the integrity of the scientific record. The journal’s correction and retraction policy ensures that errors do not mislead future researchers or readers and that the scientific community remains informed of any significant updates to published work.