Special Issue "Cellular and Molecular Progression of Cardiovascular Diseases"

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) currently ranks as the leading cause of global mortality and morbidity. In 2022, approximately 20 million people lost their lives due to CVDs, accounting for about 32% of all global fatalities [1,2]. CVDs include a range of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, congenital heart defects, rheumatic heart disease, and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are important risk factors for CVD and are prevalent comorbidities [3]. This double-risk situation rises from shared risk factors and coinciding pathological pathways—such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance—that substantially increase the likelihood of CVD complications [4]. Despite extensive research, gaining novel insights into the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of CVDs through both basic and clinical research remains crucial. This effort is essential to identify new diagnostic and prognostic markers and to develop therapeutic strategies that can enhance patient management and outcomes [5,6]. The integration of “omic technologies” has transformed cardiovascular research by enabling the high-throughput investigation of biological systems at different molecular levels [7]. These tools are advancing precision medicine by uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying CVD and supporting a bottom-up approach that focuses on molecular components initially and then integrates findings into larger systems [7]. Additionally, artificial intelligence stands out as a powerful model capable of recognising complex patterns of CVDs within large-scale molecular and clinical data. Its potential to improve risk prediction is considerable, allowing for the identification of markers for more accurate diagnoses, the prediction of treatment outcomes, and the development of innovative therapies for more precise and tailored approaches [8]. The aim of this Special Issue was to cover the most recent advances in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying CVDs, as well as the utility of artificial intelligence in interpreting and integrating clinical and molecular data. Due to the contribution of international research groups, in addition to this editorial, this Special Issue includes 12 papers—comprising six original articles and six reviews—covering a wide range of topics.