Augmentation of Notch activation after myocardial infarction in the adult, either by inducing cardiomyocyte-specific Notch1 transgene expression or by intramyocardial delivery of a Notch1 pseudoligand, increases survival rate, improves cardiac function and minimizes fibrosis, promoting anti-apoptotic and angiogenic mechanisms. Here, NOTCH1 is linked to myocardial infarction.