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.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

How the Heart Pumps Blood

Myocardial T1 and T2 Mapping

Structure and Function of the Heart

Cardiology Procedures

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Hidden Signs of Heart Problems

Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology

Cardiac Pharmaceutical Agents

Percutaneous Closure Procedure

Heart Disease Biomarkers and Screening Tests

See more featured articles »

Cardiothoracic Imaging Techniques

Limiting Cardiovascular Risk Using Akkermansia

Latest Cardiology News and Research

New insights on spontaneous coronary artery dissection in young patients

New insights into spontaneous coronary artery dissection – a devastating cause of heart attacks in young, healthy patients – were presented today at the EAPCI Summit 2026.

20 Feb 2026

Italian registry sheds light on acute coronary syndromes in women

Preliminary results from an Italian registry describe the risk profile of women experiencing acute coronary syndromes and provide insights to improve management.

19 Feb 2026

New guidelines outline comprehensive care for acute pulmonary embolism

Early detection and prompt treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), a sudden and potentially life-threatening blood clot that blocks arteries in the lungs, is critical.

19 Feb 2026

Study supports safe same-day discharge following TAVI procedures

With careful selection, same-day hospital discharge was found to be feasible and safe in around one-fifth of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a study presented today at the EAPCI Summit 2026.

19 Feb 2026

Ancient mind body practice matches walking for hypertension control

High blood pressure is one of the leading preventable risk factors for heart disease. Clinical guidelines recommend regular physical activity, yet long-term adherence to exercise programs is challenging for many people, particularly when routines require equipment, dedicated space, gym memberships or ongoing supervision.

18 Feb 2026

Frailty impacts heart attack survival differently by sex

Pioneering research from the University of Leicester and NIHR challenges the 'one-size-fits-all' approach to heart attack care, adding critical nuance to the debate on sex disparities.

18 Feb 2026

Mask-wearing during COVID-19 may have reduced heart attack risk triggered by air pollution

Researchers at Kumamoto University have discovered that behavioral changes during the COVID-19 pandemic-particularly widespread mask-wearing-may have reduced the risk of certain types of heart attacks triggered by air pollution.

17 Feb 2026

Redefining cardiovascular care for women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for women across the globe, yet significant progress has been made in prevention, diagnosis and management thanks to more sex-specific research, as noted in a special Go Red for Women issue of Circulation, the American Heart Association's flagship, peer-reviewed scientific journal, published today.

17 Feb 2026

Whole-heart mapping captures arrhythmias in a single heartbeat

The UPV and Corify Care present the first whole-heart mapping technology that provides a comprehensive view of cardiac arrhythmias in a single heartbeat.

13 Feb 2026

Boosting good immune cells can help fight insulin resistance and diabetes

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered a surprising new way the body can fight insulin resistance and diabetes – by boosting a special type of "good" immune cell in fat tissue.

12 Feb 2026

Nurses provide hospital care as safely as doctors

Nurses can safely deliver many services traditionally performed by doctors, with little to no difference in deaths, safety events, or how patients felt about their health, according to a new Cochrane review.

11 Feb 2026

Early heart disease risk factors identified in South Asian adults in the U.S.

South Asian adults in the U. S. were more likely to have risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by age 45 when compared to white, Black, Chinese or Hispanic adults in the same age group, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

11 Feb 2026

Healthy low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets may improve cardiovascular health

The quality of a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet may matter more than the amount of carbohydrates or fat consumed when it comes to reducing heart disease risk, according to a new study published in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

11 Feb 2026

Influenza viruses can directly impair heart function

Mount Sinai researchers have identified a cellular mechanism linking infections from influenza A viruses (IAVs) to cardiovascular disease, providing critical insights on how influenza can damage the heart and increase the risk of a heart attack or other major cardiovascular event.

9 Feb 2026

Moderate exercise lowers atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation

New research from CU Anschutz scientists suggests that staying physically active after heart rhythm treatment may significantly reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) returning, offering patients a simple, low-cost way to support long-term heart health.

7 Feb 2026

SCAI applauds bipartisan law removing barriers to pediatric specialty care

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) applauds the enactment of the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act. This bipartisan law removes longstanding administrative barriers that have delayed access to out-of-state specialty care for children with complex or congenital medical conditions.

6 Feb 2026

Large trials show statins rarely cause reported side effects

Cardiovascular disease results in around 20 million deaths worldwide and causes around a quarter of all deaths in the UK.

5 Feb 2026

AI-enabled stethoscope doubles detection of valvular heart disease

New research shows that the use of an AI-enabled digital stethoscope more than doubled the identification of moderate to severe valvular heart disease during routine clinical examinations, compared to a traditional stethoscope.

5 Feb 2026

ACC expands accreditation pathway for international cardiac care centers

The American College of Cardiology's Global Quality Solutions program now offers international hospitals and health systems a new pathway to achieving ACC Accreditation.

4 Feb 2026

Cardiologists highlight overlooked heart risks across women’s lives

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, yet awareness of cardiovascular risk—particularly among younger women and women of color—has stalled, even as rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol continue to rise.

3 Feb 2026