The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, veins, arteries, and capillaries. These components make up two circulatory systems: the systemic and pulmonary circulatory systems. Human cardiovascular system, organ system that conveys blood through vessels to and from all parts of the body, carrying nutrients and oxygen to tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes.

Understanding the Context

Diseases affecting the cardiovascular system are called cardiovascular disease. Many of these diseases are called "lifestyle diseases" because they develop over time and are related to a person's exercise habits, diet, whether they smoke, and other lifestyle choices a person makes. Your circulatory system, or cardiovascular system, supplies oxygen and nutrients to your whole body and removes waste through your blood. Your heart pumps blood that flows through your arteries, veins and capillaries.

Key Insights

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) can refer to many conditions: Heart and blood vessel disease, also called heart disease, includes numerous problems, many of which are related to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. An estimated 19.8 million people died from CVDs in 2022, representing approximately 32% of all global deaths. Cardiovascular disease is a group of diseases affecting your heart and blood vessels.

Final Thoughts

These diseases can affect one or many parts of your heart and/or blood vessels. A person may be symptomatic (physically experiencing the disease) or asymptomatic (not feeling anything at all). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is any disease involving the heart or blood vessels. [3] . Cardiovascular diseases include conditions that affect the structures or function of your heart or blood vessels. Learn more about the types of cardiovascular diseases and their treatments.