Dr. Valentín Fuster is a world-renowned cardiologist and preeminent leader in cardiovascular medicine with a distinguished career spanning over five decades. He currently serves as President of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital, and Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Additionally, he holds the position of General Director of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) in Madrid, Spain, demonstrating his significant international influence. Born in Barcelona in 1943, Dr. Fuster received his medical degree from the University of Barcelona and completed his residencies in Internal Medicine at the Provincial Barcelona Hospital and Mayo Clinic, followed by a Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh.
Dr. Fuster's groundbreaking research on atherosclerosis has profoundly transformed cardiovascular medicine over the past 40 years, with his work establishing fundamental principles in the understanding and treatment of heart disease. He pioneered the use of aspirin in heart disease, specifically to prevent occlusion after bypass grafting, as documented in his landmark 1984 New England Journal of Medicine publication that revolutionized post-surgical care protocols. His discovery that platelets play a critical role in coronary thrombosis and blockages led to major advances in antithrombotic therapies, while his research identifying that cell cycle inhibitors reduce coronary in-stent restenosis directly influenced the development of drug-eluting stents. Furthermore, his innovative use of high-resolution, non-invasive imaging to monitor the biological effects of statins on atherosclerotic plaque provided crucial evidence for the regression of atherosclerotic lesions with specific medications, changing clinical practice worldwide.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Fuster has profoundly shaped global cardiovascular health through extensive leadership roles including past Presidency of both the American Heart Association and the World Heart Federation, significantly influencing international health policy and research priorities. His decade-long tenure as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology transformed the publication into a premier venue for cardiovascular research, while his co-chairing of the Advisory Committee on The Role of the United States on Global Health demonstrates his commitment to worldwide health equity. Most recently honored with the Antonio M. Gotto Jr. Prize in Atherosclerosis Research in 2024, Dr. Fuster continues to advance innovative lower-cost preventive methods and treatment strategies for non-communicable diseases through his SHE Foundation initiative. His ongoing work focuses on addressing the global public health crisis of cardiovascular disease through novel diagnostic approaches and accessible prevention strategies, ensuring his legacy of translational impact continues to benefit patients worldwide.
