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Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter recently emerged as an important regulatory mediator of numerous human cell functions in health and in disease. In fact, much evidence has suggested that hydrogen sulfide plays a significant role in many physio-pathological processes, such as inflammation, oxidation, neurophysiology, ion channels regulation, cardiovascular protection, endocrine regulation, and tumor progression. Considering the plethora of physiological effects of this gasotransmitter, the protective role of H 2 S donors in different disease models has been extensively studied. Based on the growing interest in H 2 S-releasing compounds and their importance as tools for biological and pharmacological studies, this review is an exploration of currently available H 2 S donors, classifying them by the H 2 S-releasing-triggered mechanism and highlighting those potentially useful as promising drugs in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.