Ischaemic and pharmacological conditioning of the left ventricle is mediated by the activation of signalling cascades, which finally converge at the mitochondria and reduce ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Whereas the molecular mechanisms of conditioning in the left ventricle are well characterized, cardioprotection of the right ventricle is principally feasible but less established. Similar to what is known for the left ventricle, a dysregulation in signalling pathways seems to play a role in I/R injury of the healthy and failing right ventricle and in the ability/inability of the right ventricle to respond to a conditioning stimulus. The maintenance of mitochondrial function seems to be crucial in both ventricles to reduce I/R injury. As far as currently known, similar molecular mechanisms mediate ischaemic and pharmacological preconditioning in the left and right ventricles. However, the two ventricles seem to respond differently towards exercise‐induced preconditioning.LINKED ARTICLESThis article is part of a themed issue on Risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications in cardioprotection. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.23/issuetoc