New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, but treatment has advanced dramatically. Statins, blood pressure medications, and antiplatelet drugs prevent millions of heart attacks and strokes annually. Research now focuses on inflammation, lipid targets beyond LDL cholesterol, and genetic forms of heart disease.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing PCSK9 inhibitors and RNA-based therapies for cholesterol, anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce heart attack risk, SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists originally developed for diabetes, and gene therapies for familial hypercholesterolemia. Researchers are also studying heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, where few treatments have worked until recently.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on cholesterol levels, blood pressure, history of heart attack or stroke, heart function measurements, and current medications.

What types of trials are currently open

• Prevention trials — Testing cholesterol-lowering drugs, blood pressure medications, or antiplatelet therapies to prevent first or recurrent heart attacks and strokes.
• Heart failure trials — Studies of drugs or devices for people whose hearts pump weakly or have stiffened, often comparing new treatments to standard diuretics and beta-blockers.
• Intervention trials — Testing catheter-based procedures or new stent designs for blocked arteries, often comparing them to bypass surgery or medication alone.
• Arrhythmia trials — Studies of drugs or ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation and other rhythm problems, often measuring stroke risk and quality of life.
• Imaging studies — Using advanced scans to measure plaque buildup, inflammation, or heart muscle scarring, helping identify who needs more aggressive treatment.