Recent advances and emerging perspectives in vascular and cardiovascular research: A 2025 update

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, necessitating continuous innovation in diagnostic methods, better mechanistic understanding, and the development of risk stratification strategies. This review summarizes significant updates in vascular and cardiovascular health from 2024 to 2025, focusing on novel non-invasive assessment technologies, deeper insights into molecular and cellular pathophysiology, and effective approaches to clinical risk assessment. Key advancements include the development and validation of artificial intelligence-driven models for vascular age assessment, plethysmographic methods for endothelial function evaluation, and refined pulse wave velocity measurements for proximal aortic stiffness. Mechanistic studies have further investigated the roles of long noncoding RNAs, mitochondrial dynamics, and Piezo ion channels in various CVD pathologies. Clinically, new evidence supports the importance of central arterial stiffness in atrial myopathy, the association of pulse wave velocity with cerebral microbleeds, and the prognostic value of supine hypertension and combined vascular biomarkers, such as the cardio-ankle vascular index and ankle-brachial index. Furthermore, these updates will improve our understanding of vascular health and provide novel approaches to early detection, personalized intervention, and improving patient outcomes in the management of CVD.