Clinical Trials for Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for approximately one in five deaths each year. Coronary artery disease, heart failure, and related cardiovascular conditions affect over 120 million American adults. Clinical trials are testing novel cholesterol-lowering agents, anti-inflammatory therapies, gene-editing approaches, cardiac devices, and comprehensive lifestyle programs that could dramatically reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide.
Find Heart Disease Trials Near You
Search thousands of actively recruiting cardiovascular studies — filter by state, age, and trial phase. Updated daily from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Search Heart Disease Trials →What to Expect as a Participant
- Eligibility screening typically involves a cardiology evaluation, ECG, echocardiogram, blood lipid panel, and review of your current medications and cardiovascular history.
- Cardiovascular trials vary widely — from a single catheterization procedure to a long-term drug trial with quarterly clinic visits and annual imaging studies.
- Study medications, cardiac imaging, and lab tests required by the protocol are provided at no cost; many large outcomes trials also include cardiac monitoring devices.
- You can continue seeing your cardiologist and PCP during the trial — most studies encourage coordination with your existing care team throughout the study period.
Common Questions
What types of heart disease trials can I find?
Trials cover a broad spectrum: coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HFrEF and HFpEF), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, and cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. You can also search specifically for cardiac device trials or cardiac rehabilitation studies.
Can I join a trial if I've already had a heart attack or stent?
Yes — many trials specifically enroll patients with established cardiovascular disease. A prior MI or PCI is often a required entry criterion for secondary prevention trials. Search for "coronary artery disease" or "acute coronary syndrome" in addition to "heart disease" to find the most relevant studies.
Will I have to change my current heart medications?
It depends on the trial. Many cardiovascular studies allow, or even require, background therapies like statins, ACE inhibitors, or beta-blockers. Others may require a washout period from specific drugs. Always review the eligibility criteria or ask the study coordinator before stopping any current medication.
Are cardiovascular outcome trials safe?
Large Phase 3 cardiovascular outcome trials are among the most rigorously monitored studies in medicine. They use independent data safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) that can halt a trial early if a safety signal emerges or if the experimental treatment shows overwhelming benefit.