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cardiovascular

American  
[kahr-dee-oh-vas-kyuh-ler] / ˌkɑr di oʊˈvæs kjə lər /

adjective

Anatomy.
  1. of, relating to, or affecting the heart and blood vessels.


cardiovascular British  
/ ˌkɑːdɪəʊˈvæskjʊlə /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the heart and the blood vessels

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cardiovascular Scientific  
/ kär′dē-ō-văs′kyə-lər /
  1. Relating to or involving the heart and blood vessels.


cardiovascular Cultural  
  1. A descriptive term for the heart and the blood vessels.


Etymology

Origin of cardiovascular

First recorded in 1875–80; cardio- + vascular


Explanation

Use the adjective cardiovascular when you're talking about the circulatory system in general or the heart specifically. Cardiovascular exercise gets your blood pumping and is good for your heart. Cardio- means "heart," from the Greek kardia, and vascular refers to blood circulation, from a Latin root meaning "vessels or tubes." So anything cardiovascular is related to the heart muscle and the blood it pumps through arteries, veins, and capillaries. Cardiovascular diseases affect the structure of the heart itself or the vessels that help it move blood through the body. Things like not smoking and regularly moving your body can help you keep your cardiovascular system healthy.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing cardiovascular

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In addition to helping control blood sugar and manage weight, GLP-1 medications can reduce the risks of certain cardiovascular and kidney problems.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

A third of Scots are classified as obese, which can lead to serious health complications including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

The in-app AI-powered adviser said this “can reflect deeper-than-usual cardiovascular rest” but a one-off “doesn’t call for action on its own.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

He contends that when hotels circulate synthetic fragrances through scent dispersion machines, they may be spreading toxic chemicals, potentially causing respiratory problems, headaches, skin irritation and gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and cognitive problems among vulnerable guests.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

It was efficient, one had to admit, but lacked the sense of adventure and cardiovascular exercise that dashing to get a good spot on line had always provided.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

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