Always Forward

How one scientist changed global cardiovascular medicine — and what his journey teaches us about purpose and perseverance

In Always Forward, Dr. Valentín Fuster — one of the most
influential cardiologists of the past century and the most
cited Spanish scientist in history — reflects on a life that
fundamentally reshaped modern cardiovascular medicine.
Best known for identifying the mechanisms behind heart
attacks and for establishing prevention as the cornerstone of
global cardiovascular health, Fuster’s work transformed how
heart disease is understood, treated, and prevented worldwide,
saving millions of lives. As Director of the Cardiovascular
Institute at Mount Sinai in New York and founding director of
Spain’s National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC),
he has uniquely bridged science, clinical practice, and public
health on a global scale.
Rather than focusing on technical achievements alone, Fuster
tells the human story behind scientific discovery: the discipline
forged through sport, the mentors who shaped his thinking,
the setbacks that forced him to rethink his path, and the
ethical dilemmas inherent in leadership at the highest levels of
medicine. With honesty and clarity, he shows how curiosity,
rigor, and long-term vision led to breakthroughs in understanding
atherosclerosis and heart attack prevention — while reflecting
on the personal costs of excellence, failure, and responsibility.

More than a memoir, Always Forward is a book about how
progress truly happens — in science, in institutions, and in
individual lives. It offers a rare inside view of how medical
knowledge becomes global policy, how research translates into
real-world impact, and why integrity matter as much as talent.