Cardiac fibrosis can cause cardiac diastolic and systolic disorders, induce arrhythmias, and increase the risk of hospital readmission and death in patients with cardiovascular disease. Fibroblasts are the main cell type that maintains and promotes extracellular matrix deposition in cardiac tissue and are sensitive to changes in the mechanical microenvironment. Recent studies have revealed the specific mechanical signal transduction pathways through which mechanical factors influence fibroblast function. In this review, mechanotransduction, vitro mechanical models and clinical advances are discussed.