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

Khan said that studies have shown GLP-1s and dual GIP/GLP-1 medications decrease cardiovascular risk by lowering blood pressure, reducing systemic inflammation and improve blood lipid profiles alongside weight loss. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

In 2024, the FDA approved Novo Nordisk's anti-obesity drug, Wegovy, to lower the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in overweight or obese adults without diabetes. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide isn’t the first GLP-1 drug to receive an FDA indication for reducing cardiovascular risks. — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2026

Club name Eli Lilly's Mounjaro was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

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