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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.


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-văskyə-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.

Achieve-4, the longest phase 3 study of Lilly’s Foundayo to date, has reaffirmed its cardiovascular and overall safety profile as well as consistent improvements across key measures of cardiometabolic health, the drug maker said Thursday.

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

The condition affects about one in 40 adults across the UK and EU and has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

"Also to reminisce about people who maybe didn't survive cardiovascular disease and being able to raise awareness and educate."

From BBC • Apr. 9, 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