Cardiovascular Disease
An Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. CVDs describe a number of conditions affecting the heart and circulation, including coronary heart disease, angina, congenital heart disease, hypertension and stroke. The huge and ever-increasing burden of CVDs on individuals and healthcare systems shows the urgent ongoing need for treatments and preventive measures.
Browse the content below where leading experts discuss the latest data in video interviews and short articles from our conference hub, and browse the selection of peer-reviewed articles from our journal portfolio. If you are looking to learn more about the impact of these developments on patient outcomes, our educational activities are a great resource.
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Dr Arasi Maran explores practical strategies for integrating lifestyle interventions into the management of complex coronary artery disease, including how to prioritise modifiable risk factors, communicate recommendations effectively and support sustained behaviour change. She also discusses the role of imaging, reliable health information and patient-centred approaches to improving adherence.
Late-breaking clinical research will once again be a major focus at ESC Congress 2026, taking place in Munich, Germany, from August 28–31. This year, a record 59 trials have been selected for presentation across 12 Hot Line sessions, spanning new pharmacological approaches, diagnostic strategies, devices, imaging and digital technologies.
New clinical guidelines, late-breaking trials, artificial intelligence, and an increasing focus on cardiometabolic and precision medicine are set to shape discussions at ESC Congress 2026 in Munich.
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Pasadena, CA) has reported topline results from two phase III trials evaluating plozasiran in adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG), according to a recent press release.1 Plozasiran, an siRNA therapy directed against apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3) messenger RNA, is already approved as Redemplo for adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome but remains investigational for the broader sHTG population.
The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to AFTX-201 (Affinia Therapeutics; Waltham, MA), an investigational gene therapy, for the treatment of BAG3-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (BAG3-DCM), according to the company. The designation follows a recent FDA Fast Track designation for the same program.
A new World Heart Federation (WHF) Roadmap proposes a broader, more adaptable model of cardiac rehabilitation designed to support people with cardiovascular disease over the long term.
The FDA has approved enlicitide (LIPFENDRA®; Merck, Rahway, NJ, USA) tablets, 20 mg, as an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in adults with hypercholesterolemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), according to a press release from Merck.1 Enlicitide is a novel macrocyclic peptide and the first FDA-approved oral proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor for lowering LDL-C.
A proteomic analysis presented as late-breaking research at ENDO 2026 found that treatment with lorundrostat was associated with reductions in several circulating biomarkers linked to heart failure risk in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
The American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Diabetes Association (ADA) and American Society of Nephrology (ASN) have issued a new joint clinical practice guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation and management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.
Cardiovascular care continues to evolve in response to increasingly complex clinical realities, where advances in intervention, electrophysiology and population health must be integrated with a more critical appraisal of long-held assumptions. Across disciplines, there is a growing recognition that improving ...
touchCARDIO Future Leaders 2026 Following the successful introduction last year of our touchCARDIO Future Leaders, we are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 edition. This initiative celebrates the next generation of pioneers in cardiology, those whose passion, ...
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young adults (typically defined as individuals younger than 40 years) has emerged as an important yet under-recognized public health concern. Recent estimates suggest an incidence of approximately 1–4 cases per 100,000 person-years, underscoring the clinical and epidemiological relevance ...
New late-breaking data presented on Day 3 of EuroPCR 2026 highlighted evolving approaches to antiplatelet therapy, transcatheter treatment of pure aortic regurgitation and procedural optimization in bicuspid TAVR
Day 2 hotline data at EuroPCR 2026 highlighted improved outcomes with FFR-guided PCI in TAVI, comparable 10-year survival with PCI and CABG in left main disease and consistent LAAC benefits across age groups.
Data presented on the first day of EuroPCR 2026, Paris, highlighted continued advances in lipid lowering, coronary scaffold technology and vessel restoration strategies. From substantial reductions in cardiovascular events with aggressive LDL-cholesterol lowering to encouraging long-term outcomes with next-generation bioresorbable and adaptive coronary devices, these studies offered important insights into the future direction of PCI and secondary prevention.
From ACC26, Dr Matt Budoff shared his highlights, including the new cholesterol guidelines and imaging advances position coronary artery calcium scoring at the heart of personalized cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention.
From breakthrough prevention strategies to pivotal late-breaking trials, ACC.26 showcased the rapidly evolving future of cardiovascular care.
At EHRA 2026, Ben Petrazzini discussed new research that shows AI can improve identification of sudden cardiac death in electronic health records, enabling more accurate large-scale studies and advancing prevention strategies.
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