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 matters as much as talent.