Background HIF-1 (hypoxia inducible factor 1, HIF-1) is a nuclear transcription factors plays an important role in hypoxic state. Its activation could mediate the protection of hypoxia response. In particular, it can alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in a certain extent. Objective To explore the activation and function of HIF-1/ hypoxia response element (HRE) pathway. Content 1. Represnet an overview of definition, regulation and activation of the HIF-1/HRE pathway and its mechanism in myocardial protection 2. The role of HIF-1 during the post-processiong of myocardial injury. And with other key transcription factors internal relation in myocardial protection are reviewed. Tend Post-processing can activate HIF-1/HRE pathways and induce EPO, HO-1, iNOS and VEGF protein expression to against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, it remains to be further discussed.