cardiovascular

American  

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

adjective

Anatomy.

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

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cardiovascular British  

/ ˌkɑːdɪəʊˈvæskjʊlə /

adjective

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

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cardiovascular Scientific  

/ kär′dē-ō-văs′kyə-lər /

1. Relating to or involving the heart and blood vessels.

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cardiovascular Cultural  

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

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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.

Example Sentences

Over an average follow-up period of 6.9 years, there were 1633 deaths and 6190 cases of cardiovascular disease among participants.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

The trial of adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or who are overweight and at increased cardiovascular risk met the primary objective of non-inferiority versus insulin glargine, Lilly said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Now, regulators are directing Lilly to conduct an additional trial to evaluate the risk of drug-induced liver injury and potential for major adverse cardiovascular events in patients taking Foundayo.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

She has also been teaching emergency departments across the world about the large impact space travel can have on an astronaut's body, including the immune and cardiovascular systems.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“All this trotting to and fro will be the”—huff!—‘death of me!” she wheezed, although, as you already know, regular aerobic exercise was far more likely to improve her cardiovascular fitness than cause her demise.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood