Cardiology has undergone an impressive transformation from the initial anatomical observations of William Harvey to the current data-driven precision medicine. This review highlights the major milestones that have defined the field's evolution along key discoveries, technologies, and clinical trials that have led to evidence-based cardiovascular care. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. Procedural breakthroughs such as coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary intervention, and transcatheter valve replacement have transformed management of major adverse cardiovascular events. Simultaneously, landmark clinical trials have led to evidence-based therapies for hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease. Through synthesizing historical progress and contemporary innovations, this review underscores the transition of cardiology into a discipline that both prolongs and improves quality of life. Through appreciating important milestones, this review provides perspective for the next frontiers in cardiology: integrating artificial intelligence, promoting precision medicine, and genomics.
Shukla et al. (2026) studied this question.