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

In trial results published in May, a weekly injection helped more people to lose up to 15% of their body weight over 36 weeks and reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases compared with a placebo treatment. —Rachel Fieldhouse, Scientific American, 1 July 2025

Case in point: After crunching the numbers, a 2025 analysis published in Nature Communications concluded that total dairy consumption was linked to a 4% reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease and a 6% decrease in stroke risk. —Mercey Livingston, SELF, 30 June 2025

As ovaries age, the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline increases. —Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 30 June 2025

The state is still expecting to initiate layoffs for programs in cardiovascular health, colorectal cancer screening, and a broader one for cancer prevention and control, amounting to nearly $1.9 million in total. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 28 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