Cardiology

Cardiology is the branch of internal medicine dealing with disorders of the heart and blood vessels. The field is commonly divided in the branches of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology.

What is Cardiology?

The term cardiology is derived from the Greek words “cardia,” which refers to the heart and “logy” meaning “study of.” Cardiology is a branch of medicine that concerns diseases and disorders of the heart, which may range from congenital defects through to acquired heart diseases such as coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.

Cardiology Procedures

Cardiothoracic Imaging Techniques

Cardiac Pharmaceutical Agents

Percutaneous Closure Procedure

Limiting Cardiovascular Risk Using Akkermansia

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

Myocardial T1 and T2 Mapping

Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology

Structure and Function of the Heart

Hidden Signs of Heart Problems

Heart Disease Biomarkers and Screening Tests

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Cardiothoracic Surgery

How the Heart Pumps Blood

Latest Cardiology News and Research

Cholesterol control improves but cardiovascular disease still increases in Mexico

Despite improved statin use and cholesterol control, cardiovascular disease risk rose in Mexico between 2016 and 2023, according to a study being presented at ACC Latin America 2025 that used region-specific tools to more accurately predict the local disease burden.

18 Sep 2025

Music therapy improves patient experience and outcomes in the cardiac ICU

Music therapy could significantly reduce heart rate, blood pressure and patient–ventilator asynchronies for patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU), according to research being presented at ACC Latin America 2025 taking place September 18-20 in Mexico City.

18 Sep 2025

International societies release new guideline for 18F-flurpiridaz PET myocardial perfusion imaging

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), and American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM) have issued a new clinical guideline for 18F-flurpiridaz PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and blood flow quantitation.

18 Sep 2025

Health care cuts threaten homegrown solutions to rural doctor shortages

Olivia Owlett chose to do her primary care residency in this Northern California college town largely because it faces many of the same health care challenges she grew up with.

18 Sep 2025

Research reveals widespread cardiac harm from COVID, offers solutions

Millions of people around the world are suffering with the serious cardiovascular effects of Covid infection and long Covid. A lack of clear guidance on how to reduce this suffering and prevent further harm means that patients are not receiving the care they need, and some are turning to unproven or unsafe treatments.

18 Sep 2025

Covid vaccinations remain vital to protect global heart health

Regular Covid vaccinations should continue worldwide to reduce cardiac risks associated with the virus - according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

17 Sep 2025

Lifestyle changes show promise in preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease

An estimated 7.2 million Americans over age 65 currently live with Alzheimer's disease (AD). That number is expected to nearly double to 13.8 million by 2060.

16 Sep 2025

Heart attacks in women under age 65 are caused by factors other than clogged arteries

A new Mayo Clinic study finds that many heart attacks in people under 65 - especially women - are caused by factors other than clogged arteries, challenging long-standing assumptions about how heart attacks occur in younger populations.

15 Sep 2025

Experts warn tiny plastics in arteries may raise heart attack risk

Experts caution that nanoplastics and microplastics may constitute an emerging cardiovascular risk factor, with particles identified in arterial plaques associated with a 4.5-fold increase in major adverse cardiovascular events. Experimental evidence points to inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular injury as key mechanisms.

10 Sep 2025

Daylight saving time does not increase heart attack risk, study shows

A large U.S. registry study of more than 168,000 patients found that daylight saving time (DST) clock changes did not increase heart attack rates or worsen in-hospital outcomes. The findings suggest that the lost or gained hour is unlikely to trigger acute myocardial infarction in contemporary care.

10 Sep 2025

High consumption of ultra-processed foods increases a sensitive marker of inflammation

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially altered products – like soda, snacks and processed meats – packed with additives and stripped of nutrients.

9 Sep 2025

AI voice agents helped improve accuracy of blood pressure measurements in older adults

Artificial intelligence (AI) voice agents helped older adults with high blood pressure to accurately report their blood pressure readings and improved blood pressure management, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025.

8 Sep 2025

Portable ultrasound improves diagnosis and patient outcomes

When hospitalized patients struggle to breathe, doctors typically reach for their stethoscopes, but results from a Rutgers and RWJBarnabas Health clinical study in JAMA Network Open suggest they should diagnose the problem with portable ultrasounds instead.

5 Sep 2025

Salt substitute use remains low among Americans with high blood pressure

Few people with high blood pressure were using salt substitutes, even though they are a simple and effective way to lower sodium intake and manage blood pressure, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025.

4 Sep 2025

No advantage found in modulating antiplatelet therapy intensity after complex stenting

There was no benefit to modulating the intensity of antiplatelet therapy compared with standard antiplatelet therapy in high-risk patients who had undergone complex stenting procedures, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025.

4 Sep 2025

Trial compares the use of blood thinners after stenting in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Noninferiority was not demonstrated for death and ischemic events between P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) given for 12 months after stenting in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025 and simultaneously published in New England Journal of Medicine.

3 Sep 2025

Dual antiplatelet therapy shows no benefit over aspirin after CABG in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was not more effective than aspirin alone for the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events and increased major bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 20251 and simultaneously published in New England Journal of Medicine.

3 Sep 2025

Stopping oral anticoagulation reduces risk after successful atrial fibrillation ablation

Discontinuing oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy resulted in a lower risk of a composite of stroke, systemic embolism or major bleeding than continuing OAC therapy in patients who had successful ablation for atrial fibrillation at least 12 months previously, according to results from a late-breaking trial presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025 and simultaneously published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

3 Sep 2025

Reconditioned pacemakers show comparable infection rates to new devices

Procedure-related infection rates were similar with reconditioned and new pacemakers, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025.

3 Sep 2025

Sacubitril/valsartan shows benefit over enalapril in heart failure caused by Chagas disease

In patients with heart failure (HF) caused by Chagas disease, sacubitril/valsartan was superior to enalapril for the composite primary endpoint, predominantly driven by a significant reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2025.

3 Sep 2025