Dr. Braunwald: The Man Who Saved Millions of Hearts

Dr. Eugene Braunwald, a preeminent cardiologist whose work dramatically advanced the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, died on Wednesday. He was 96.

His research redefined understanding of heart attacks and heart failure, paving the way for life-saving therapies and medications. His seminal textbook, "Braunwald's Heart Disease," first published in 1980, is a foundational reference for medical professionals worldwide.

Dr. Braunwald was instrumental in establishing cardiology as an evidence-based scientific discipline. He pioneered concepts that limited damage after heart attacks and advanced treatments for coronary artery disease and unstable angina.

Beyond his research, he profoundly influenced medical education, training generations of cardiologists. His career, spanning over a half-century primarily with Harvard, included pivotal clinical trials that validated crucial heart medications.

Born in Vienna in 1929, Braunwald's family escaped Nazi persecution. He pursued medicine with exceptional dedication, graduating from New York University at 19 and its medical school at the top of his class.