Endoplasmic reticulum stress is a newly discovered pathway of apoptosis, following the death receptor signaling and mitochondrial pathways. Moderate stress triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) to rsstore the cell function. However, if the stress is severe and/or prolonged, the ER also initiates apoptotic signaling that includes CHOP, ASK1/JNK and caspases pathways. Recent studies have found that endoplasmic reticulum stress plays an important role in the development of various cardiovascular diseases. Also, extensive research has shown that it can bring about protective effects on myocardial cells through the intervention of the relevant pathways, which may provide us with new therapeutic targets for heart diseases.