This review will present introductory information about the pathology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases. The primary focus will be a discussion of the key cardiovascular diseases, their manifestations, risk factors, etiology of the risk factors and origin of the precipitants of the diseases. Specifically, the purpose of this 'state-of-the-art' review is to provide an empirical foundation for subsequent noise-related research by: (1) summarizing the current knowledge of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular diseases; (2) denoting key confounding and interactive factors which must be considered in the design of future studies; and (3) identifying pathways in the pathogenic process and specifying potential entry points for investigation of noise as one environmental influence on the cardiovascular system.