Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are growing worldwide epidemics with an enormous economic burden; as such, the care and prevention of cardiovascular alterations represent important challenges for the world. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress represent an early event that precedes and accompanies the development of cardiovascular diseases. Downregulated nitric oxide caused by either reduced synthesis or by inactivation due to increased oxidative stress significantly contributes to both cardiac and endothelial dysfunction.

Although many drugs are effective, the molecular mechanisms and long-term side effects are still unknown and are currently an area of active research. Currently, biological markers of oxidative stress-induced injury lack specificity in predicting cardiovascular disease progression. Conversely, clinical trials have failed to show long-term improvement with antioxidant strategy, suggesting the importance of directly acting on upstream signalling to prevent oxidative stress rather than adopting strategies to scavenge reactive oxygen species. Finally, it is important to emphasize that for the wide range of CVDs we do not practice precision medicine, we do not diagnose specific pathophysiological events, and we do not have specific biomarkers for them.

Based on these data, this Special Issue invites investigators to contribute original research as well as review articles addressing the identification of novel molecules able to exert beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system as well as novel roles for old pharmacological molecules. This will improve our knowledge on possible therapeutic approaches and will bring new opportunities to improve the health of patients fighting cardiovascular diseases.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Identification of novel molecules involved in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases
• Identification of novel biomarkers to pave the way for the application of precision medicine in CVDs
• Novel potential therapeutic approaches to reduce oxidative stress and vascular injury
• Discovery of novel pharmacological approaches to fight cardiovascular disease
• Identification of novel molecules able to contribute to the reduction of vascular dysfunction
• Identification of novel natural compounds with beneficial cardiovascular properties
• Discovery of novel molecular mechanisms involved in the onset of oxidative stress in CVDs
• Novel products able to modulate the main determinants of CVDs, such as endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and pathways dysregulation