cardiovascular
kar-dee-oh-VAS-kyuh-ler
/ˌkɑːrdiəʊˈvæskjələr/
relating to the heart and blood vessels.
Specifically refers to the system of transport (heart as pump, vessels as pipes). 'Cardio' in gym slang is a shorthand for this.
The story behind the word. This is a 'hybrid' word. 'Cardio' comes from the Greek word for heart, and 'vascular' comes from the Latin 'vasculum', meaning a small vessel or container. It literally means 'heart and vessels'.
Word relationships
- circulatory: Refers to the whole system of circulation, while cardiovascular focuses on the heart and vessels.
Commonly confused with
- cardiac: Cardiac refers only to the heart; cardiovascular includes the blood vessels.
Collocations
- cardiovascular health
- cardiovascular system
- cardiovascular disease
Example sentences
- "Running and swimming are excellent forms of cardiovascular exercise that strengthen the heart muscle." Health advice regarding exercise.
- "Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as it damages the lining of the arteries." A medical report on health risks.
Memory hook
Cardio (Heart) + Vascular (Vessels/Veins). Heart and pipes.
When not to use
Don't use it when referring only to the heart (that would be 'cardiac').
Fun facts
- If you laid out all the blood vessels in an adult's cardiovascular system, they would stretch for about 60,000 miles.
Related words
Also appears in
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