BACKGROUND: Exosomes contain DNA fragments, mRNA, miRNA, functional proteins, transcription factors and other substances with biological activities. Their membrane structure also expresses a variety of antigens and antibody molecules, thus producing various biological effects. Recent studies have shown that it has similar therapeutic effects with stem cell transplantation and can be used as a substitute of stem cell transplantation in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the application of exosomes from different stem cells in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, so as to provide reference and basis for exosomes applied in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Articles in PubMed database from 2005 to 2019 were searched using the search terms of “exosomes, cardiovascular diseases, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells.” Articles in databases of CNKI and VIP from 2014 to 2019 were retrieved with the search terms of “exosome, cardiovascular disease, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells.” The literature and references were reviewed one by one. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Exosomes derived from stem cells are safer and more effective than stem cell transplantation, and have great potential in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the research on the function and use of exosomes is still in its infancy. In addition, low exosome content and cumbersome extraction process limit its clinical application. © 2020, Journal of Clinical Rehabilitative Tissue Engineering Research. All rights reserved.