【Abstract】 Background Spinal cord injury (SCI), especially in patients with cervical or high thoracic SCI, is a real health problem and one of the most devastating of all traumatic events. Cardiovascular disorders, that are common complications following SCI, are probably the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both acute and chronic stages. Objective We aim to review the epidemiology of cardiovascular disorders, neuroanatomy and pathophysiology of autonomic nervous system after SCI. Content During the acute stage, suffering from spinal shock and followed by variety of cardiac arrhythmias, many patients die of these diseases. Autonomic dysreflexia appears during the chronic stage, which is a life threatening syndrome of imbalanced reflex sympathetic discharge in patients with SCI above T4-5 segment. Trend The study of pathophysiology mechanisms of cardiovascular complications after SCI can assist clinical diagnosis and therapy, as well as promote foundation research.