cardiovascular

adjective

car·​dio·​vas·​cu·​lar ˌkär-dē-ō-ˈva-skyə-lər How to pronounce cardiovascular (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To address this risk, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association published new cardiovascular guidance for clinicians on Thursday. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 4 Sep. 2026 Beyond being used to treat diabetes and obesity, it is approved to lower cardiovascular risk, slow kidney decline and treat fatty liver disease, with trial data piling up for sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026 In 2024, Wegovy secured FDA approval to lower the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in overweight or obese adults without diabetes. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The workout targets fat burn, cardiovascular fitness and resting metabolism. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cardiovascular

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cardiovascular was in 1854

Rhymes for cardiovascular

See All Rhymes for cardiovascular

Browse Nearby Words

cardiotonic
cardiovascular
cardioversion
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cardiovascular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cardiovascular. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cardiovascular

adjective
car·​dio·​vas·​cu·​lar ˌkärd-ē-ō-ˈvas-kyə-lər How to pronounce cardiovascular (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce cardiovascular (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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