Recent advances in cell biology show that silent information regulator 2 (SIR2)-related enzymes play important roles in the cardiac pathophysiology under various stress conditions.At present, SIR2 homologous genes were found in most species, and collectively referred as sirtuins (SIRT) family. Among the family members, silent information regulator T1 (SIRT1), the most widely studied, is a key regulator in the occurrence and progression of many cardiovascular diseases. In this review,we summarize and discuss the basic characteristics of SIRT1 and its role and possible mechanism in cardiovascular diseases, so as to provide new ideas for medical researchers in the prevention,diagnosis and treatment of the diseases.