Cardiovascular Disease
Thanks to online-only health sites, sites operated by the National Institutes of Health and those of our country's top hospitals, clinics and nonprofit heart-health organizations, high-quality information on common and rare cardiovascular diseases are only a quick surf away. Use the Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide to find links to sites with verified, credible information.
Read a Spanish-language version of the Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide.
Read a Spanish-language version of the Cardiovascular Disease Web Guide.
Expand All Guide SectionsHow the Cardiovascular System Works
The term "cardiovascular system" refers to the functioning of the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular). More specifically, it's the biological system responsible for circulating blood and oxygen throughout the body. Use the sites below to learn how the cardiovascular system works.
Insights for How the Cardiovascular System Works
- Cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term used to define any disease that afflicts your cardiovascular system. According to the Mayo Clinic, cardiovascular diseases fall under two categories: diseases of the heart and diseases of the blood vessels.
- Two prominent organizations whose sites are troves of information are the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. These sites have information on diseases and conditions, living healthy, risk assessment tools and other patient and professional resources.
Top Sites for How the Cardiovascular System Works
For general cardiovascular information …
Mayo Clinic
has a narrated video introduction to the circulatory system. This short clip covers the basics of how the heart and vascular system produce circulation. There's also a text transcript of the video available.
Texas Heart Institute,
a nonprofit organization involved in cardiovascular disease research, education and patient care, has a solid explanation of the workings of the circulatory system. Find a simple but effective illustration that allows users to zoom in for closer looks at the important components of the system. Also check out their overviews of the heart, heartbeats and the heart's conduction system.
For key cardiovascular terms …
American Heart Association
has a glossary of cardiac terms. The definitions included are brief but succinct, and very frequently appended with high-quality illustrations.
For the workings of the heart …
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
has a good introduction to the circulatory system, centering around its most prominent component—the heart. Aided by quality diagrams and narrated animations, this overview covers the anatomy of the system, the process of contraction, circulation, the heart's electrical system and heart disease.
For more on blood …
PBS's
2002 special report, "Red Gold," is all about blood. It tells the story of blood donation by tracing the epic journey a blood cell takes during this process: from creation, to the circulatory system, donation, a blood bank and finally transfusion. Find a history of blood, biographies of important physicians and researchers, and a Q&A with experts.
For parents …
KidsHealth
has an overview of the workings of the circulatory system in children: what it is, what it does and what can go wrong with it. Look for related articles below, such as “Cholesterol and Your Child” and “If Your Child Has a Heart Defect.”
For an overview of cardiovascular disease …
Mayo Clinic
has a good introduction to cardiovascular disease that covers symptoms, causes, risk factors, tests and diagnosis, treatments and more.
Heart Disease Types
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease ... read more »
Vascular Disease Types
A vascular disease is any disease afflicting your circulatory system. According to the Cleveland Clinic ... read more »
Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis
If you or a loved one is suffering from a cardiovascular disease, you thankfully have the benefit ... read more »
Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
Heart and vascular conditions can be treated through a variety of methods including medication, ... read more »
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Two factors playing an important role in your heart disease risk are diet and exercise. Unlike ... read more »
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