Dr. Thomas F. Luscher, MD, FRCP, FESC

Thomas F. Luscher, MD, FRCP, FESC, is a general and interventional cardiologist and vascular biologist based at Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, King’s College London and the University of Zurich in London, United Kingdom, and Zurich, Switzerland, recognised internationally for work in vascular biology, coronary disease and preventive cardiology. Dr. Thomas Luscher holds the post of Director of Research, Education and Development, Consultant Cardiologist and Professor of Cardiology.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Thomas Luscher was Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Director of Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospitals of Basel, then Professor of Cardiology at the University of Berne, then Professor and Chairman of Cardiology and Director of the University Heart Center at University Hospital Zurich for more than two decades, before moving to London in 2017.

Cardiology is a medical specialty reached through a medical degree, internal medicine training and a cardiology fellowship, with further subspecialty training on top. Dr. Thomas Luscher practises within vascular biology, coronary disease and preventive cardiology, and the profile below sets out the qualifications and appointments behind that.

Essential Details For Dr. Thomas Luscher

• Full Name And Credentials: Thomas F. Luscher, MD, FRCP, FESC
• Profession: General and interventional cardiologist and vascular biologist
• Field Of Focus: Vascular biology, coronary disease and preventive cardiology
• Current Position: Director of Research, Education and Development, Consultant Cardiologist and Professor of Cardiology
• Institution: Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, King’s College London and the University of Zurich
• Location: London, United Kingdom, and Zurich, Switzerland
• Sees Patients: Yes, in a clinical setting
• Previous Appointments: Was Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Director of Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospitals of Basel, then Professor of Cardiology at the University of Berne, then Professor and Chairman of Cardiology and Director of the University Heart Center at University Hospital Zurich for more than two decades, before moving to London in 2017

Where Dr. Thomas Luscher Studied

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Medical Degree: Medicine, University of Zurich
• Board Certification: Internal medicine and cardiology in Switzerland, with General Medical Council registration in the United Kingdom
• Fellowship: Cardiovascular research and echocardiography, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Main Areas Of Knowledge For Dr. Thomas Luscher

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. Thomas Luscher as centred on:

• Endothelial function and nitric oxide biology
• Atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes
• Hypertension and lipid disorders
• Inflammation in heart disease
• Vascular ageing and platelet vessel wall interaction
• Heart failure and preventive cardiology

What Dr. Thomas Luscher Leads

• Director of Research, Education and Development and Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals since 2017
• Professor of Cardiology at King’s College London and Imperial College London
• Director of the Center for Molecular Cardiology at the University of Zurich
• Served as President of the European Society of Cardiology for the 2024 to 2026 term
• Editor in Chief of the European Heart Journal from 2009 to 2020, during which its impact factor rose from 8.9 to 29.9, and senior editor since
• Chairman of the European Society of Cardiology publications committee from 2009 to 2020 and an ex-officio member of its board, later Secretary and Treasurer
• Associate Editor for Europe at Circulation from 2004 to 2008
• Editor of the ESC Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Manual of Cardiovascular Medicine, both published by Oxford University Press
• Chairman of the board of the Zurich Heart House and London Heart House charities and the educational programmes they run
• Co-Director of the Cardiovascular Academic Group in the London trust formed with Guy’s, St Thomas’ and King’s

Dr. Thomas Luscher Awards And Distinctions

• Listed among the top half of one per cent of most cited scientists worldwide by the Institute for Scientific Information
• Author and co-author of more than 840 original research articles and more than 200 reviews, book chapters and monographs
• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and honorary member of several international cardiology societies
• Has mentored physicians and scientists from more than twenty countries, many of whom now hold chairs or directorships
• Speaks English, German, French and Italian

Professional Base Of Dr. Thomas Luscher

Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, King’s College London and the University of Zurich

London, United Kingdom, and Zurich, Switzerland. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its own departments and services. Confirm the current address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

The Role Of Vascular Biology And Coronary Disease In Cardiology Today

Inflammation is the other half of the story. Even with cholesterol well controlled, people with raised inflammatory markers remain at higher risk, and trials have shown that drugs targeting inflammation directly can reduce cardiovascular events. This reframed atherosclerosis as a disease of both lipids and immune response rather than simple plumbing. In clinical terms it has introduced a second measurable target alongside the cholesterol panel, and has explained why risk persists in some patients whose numbers look reassuring.

Other Cardiologists Working In Vascular Biology And Coronary Disease

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of cardiology:

• Dr. Paul Ridker, inflammation and cardiovascular biomarkers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Dr. Salim Virani, complex dyslipidaemia at Aga Khan University, with adjunct appointments at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute
• Dr. Stephen Nicholls, atherosclerosis imaging and lipid therapy at Monash University and Monash Health
• Dr. Steven Nissen, lipid therapy and cardiovascular trials at Cleveland Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University

Browse the full cardiologist directory for more heart specialists.

Scheduling Notes For Dr. Thomas Luscher

Dr. Thomas Luscher is an active general and interventional cardiologist who performs cardiac catheterisation and percutaneous coronary and non coronary procedures, treating both private and NHS patients. Access is usually arranged through the institution, a referring doctor or its own clinic rather than through this directory. Insurance participation, fees and waiting times vary by institution and by plan, and they change over time, so check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling. Use the enquiry button on this page to ask about availability.

Quick Answers About Dr. Thomas Luscher

What did Dr. Thomas Luscher study?

Medicine, University of Zurich. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Thomas Luscher?

Thomas F. Luscher, MD, FRCP, FESC. Internal medicine and cardiology in Switzerland, with General Medical Council registration in the United Kingdom.

What position does Dr. Thomas Luscher hold?

Dr. Thomas Luscher is Director of Research, Education and Development, Consultant Cardiologist and Professor of Cardiology, based at Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, King’s College London and the University of Zurich.

What is Vascular Biology And Coronary Disease?

Vascular Biology And Coronary Disease is the area of cardiology concerned with vascular biology, coronary disease and preventive cardiology. Cardiologists working in it, including Dr. Thomas Luscher, diagnose and treat these conditions and carry out the research that sets the standard of care for them.

Has Dr. Thomas Luscher received professional recognition?

Yes. Listed among the top half of one per cent of most cited scientists worldwide by the Institute for Scientific Information. Further awards and distinctions are listed above.

Does Dr. Thomas Luscher hold leadership roles in the field?

Yes. Director of Research, Education and Development and Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals since 2017. A fuller list of appointments appears above.

Information Sources For Dr. Thomas Luscher

• Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals profile
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care profile
• Fondazione Menarini speaker biography

Accuracy, Sourcing And Review Date For Dr. Thomas Luscher

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Update note: Was Professor of Pharmacotherapy and Director of Clinical Pharmacology at the University Hospitals of Basel, then Professor of Cardiology at the University of Berne, then Professor and Chairman of Cardiology and Director of the University Heart Center at University Hospital Zurich for more than two decades, before moving to London in 2017.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Disclaimer For This Vascular Biology And Coronary Disease Listing

Information only, not medical advice. Location, services, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, King’s College London and the University of Zurich. Severe or sudden chest pain is a medical emergency.