Cardiovascular diseases bring a huge burden to health care, and cold is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Cold can lead to complex changes in autonomic nervous system, endocrine system and so on, thus affecting the function and structure of the heart and blood vessels, ultimately leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Sympathetic excitation-mediated neurohumoral pathways are important physiological processes involved in cold exposure, while other specific mechanisms including immune imbalance, oxidative damage, and metabolic abnormalities are also involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Appropriate preventive and control measures can reduce the risk of cold-induced cardiovascular diseases. Keeping warm, appropriate cold adaptation, rational dietary therapy, and Chinese herbal medicine treatment can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. After cold injury, reasonable treatment inside and outside the hospital is the key to save lives. In conclusion, clarifying the epidemiological status and pathophysiological mechanisms between cold and cardiovascular diseases and proposing prevention and treatment strategies are of great significance to alleviate the health care pressure in China, protect people’s health in cold regions, and promote polar development strategies.