Prof Gerhard Hindricks was born in Germany and pursued his medical education at the University of Münster (Wilhelm University of Westphalia). He trained in cardiovascular medicine there and went on to build a distinguished career in clinical cardiology and electrophysiology. Over more than three decades, he has worked at leading heart centres in Germany and now lives and works in Berlin, where he serves in senior leadership roles at the Charité University Hospital and the German Heart Centre of the Charité.
Academic History
Prof Hindricks completed his medical training and early clinical development in cardiology at the University of Münster. Early in his career, he served as a consultant and research fellow in cardiology and subsequently became a specialist in internal medicine and cardiology. Throughout his academic journey, he has focused on arrhythmias and cardiac electrophysiology, contributing to the development and clinical implementation of catheter ablation techniques and device-based therapies.
Career Overview
Prof Hindricks is a professor of cardiology and a leading clinician-scientist in cardiac electrophysiology. He headed one of Europe’s largest electrophysiology departments at the Heart Center Leipzig for more than two decades, where his department provided services for up to 5,000 patients annually and performed nearly 2,500 interventional procedures for cardiac arrhythmias each year.
In 2023, he was appointed Head of Electrophysiology-Rhythmology and Chief Integration Officer at the German Heart Centre of the Charité in Berlin. In 2024, he also became Director of the Department of Cardiology at Charité’s Campus Mitte. His clinical expertise encompasses catheter ablation for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, device therapy, and advanced rhythmology interventions.
Prof Hindricks has played a central role in international cardiovascular research and has served as principal investigator for major multicentre trials, including European Commission-funded initiatives focused on sudden cardiac death prevention. He has authored nearly 800 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is widely regarded as a pioneer in modern electrophysiology.
He served as President of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) from 2014 to 2016 and has contributed extensively to European Society of Cardiology guideline development. Prof Hindricks is also Editor-in-Chief of Europace, a leading international journal in cardiac electrophysiology, and serves on the editorial board of Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review (AER).
Career Timeline
- 1982–1989: Medical studies at the University of Münster, Germany
- 1990s: Specialist training in internal medicine and cardiology
- 1998–2023: Head of Electrophysiology and senior leadership roles at the Heart Center Leipzig
- 2014–2016: President, European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)
- 2018–2020s: Editor-in-Chief, Europace
- 2023: Appointed Head of Electrophysiology-Rhythmology and Chief Integration Officer, German Heart Centre of the Charité, Berlin
- 2024: Director of the Department of Cardiology, Charité Campus Mitte
Recognition
Prof Hindricks is internationally recognised for his contributions to arrhythmia management, cardiac electrophysiology, and clinical research. His work has significantly influenced contemporary clinical guidelines and standards of care across Europe and globally. He is frequently invited to lecture at major international cardiology congresses and academic institutions and continues to shape the future of rhythmology through research, clinical leadership, and editorial work.
Areas of Speciality
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Atrial Fibrillation and Ventricular Arrhythmias
- Catheter Ablation Techniques
- Implantable Cardiac Devices (Pacemakers and Defibrillators)
- Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention
- Digital Health and Innovation in Cardiology
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