For Reviewers
Practical guidance for confidential, constructive, and evidence-based review of hypertension and cardiovascular research.
A reviewer recommendation is advisory. The editor remains responsible for the editorial decision and for applying the relevant journal policies.
Before accepting an invitation
Accept only when the manuscript is within your expertise and you can review it independently.
- Confirm that the subject and methods are within your relevant expertise.
- Declare a competing interest and decline where it could affect independent judgment.
- Treat the manuscript and all review discussion as confidential.
Assess the manuscript
Focus on the evidence and explain the basis for your comments.
Question and methods
Assess whether the research question, study design, methods, and analysis support the conclusions.
Reporting and interpretation
Consider clarity of reporting, originality, clinical or scientific relevance, limitations, and whether the interpretation follows from the evidence.
Ethics and references
Raise a concern where the reporting, ethical information, citations, or use of material appears to need editorial attention.
Write useful feedback
Feedback should help authors and editors understand the reasoning behind your assessment.
- Use specific, evidence-based, and respectful comments.
- Separate major issues from smaller clarifications where that helps the author respond.
- Explain the basis for your recommendation without presenting it as the editorial decision.
Confidentiality and concerns
Do not share, reuse, or discuss confidential manuscript material outside the review process.
Use of material
Do not use manuscript information or review discussion for personal, research, or commercial purposes.
Potential concerns
Raise suspected ethical, privacy, integrity, or misconduct concerns with the editor so the applicable policy can be considered.
A clear review helps editors make a considered decision.
Use the registration route to express interest in reviewing, or consult editorial policies for the standards that apply to the review process.