cardiovascular

adjective

car·​dio·​vas·​cu·​lar ˌkär-dē-ō-ˈva-skyə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving the heart and blood vessels

2

: used, designed, or performed to cause a temporary increase in heart rate

a cardiovascular workout

cardiovascularly adverb

cardiovascularly fit

Examples of cardiovascular in a Sentence

running, swimming, and other cardiovascular exercises

Recent Examples on the Web

Importantly, the study focused on modifiable risk factors (weight, activity, sleep) rather than medical events (like heart attacks), which are powerful predictors of future cardiovascular disease. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Studies published in journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine and Circulation (NEJM) have found associations between regular coffee consumption and lower rates of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease. —Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025

Participants originally submitted their blood samples to help researchers look into the risk factors associated with heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 5 June 2025

Studies have shown a link between poor air quality -- which these wildfires have caused -- and cardiovascular disease, including strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cardiovascular

• extravascular
• intravascular
• microvascular
• neurovascular
• perivascular
• renovascular
• avascular
• cerebrovascular
• vascular

Kids Definition

cardiovascular

adjective

car·​dio·​vas·​cu·​lar ˌkärd-ē-ō-ˈvas-kyə-lər 

: of, relating to, or involving the heart and blood vessels

cardiovascular disease

Medical Definition

cardiovascular

1 of 2 adjective

car·​dio·​vas·​cu·​lar -ˈvas-kyə-lər 

1

: of, relating to, or involving the heart and blood vessels

cardiovascular disease

the cardiovascular system

2

: used, designed, or performed to cause a temporary increase in heart rate (as to improve heart function and reduce the risk of heart disease)

a cardiovascular workout

treadmills, stationary bicycles, and other cardiovascular equipment

cardiovascularly adverb

cardiovascularly fit

cardiovascular

2 of 2 noun

: a substance (as a drug) that affects the heart or blood vessels