Association between secondhand smoke exposure and hypertension: nearly as large as smoking

Abstract

Active smoking is a widely accepted risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is recognized as a major public health problem. Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoke exposure (SHSE), is thought to have similar cardiovascular consequences and the risk has been postulated to be equivalent to that of active smoking. A major component of this risk involves the connection with chronic hypertension. There are several population-based observational studies investigating the relationship between SHSE and chronic hypertension, all of which demonstrate a positive association. Given that SHSE appears to be a risk factor for chronic hypertension, SHSE should also be a risk factor for hypertensive end-organ disease. Many studies have sought to investigate this relationship, but this has yet to be fully elucidated. In this review, we focus on the current evidence regarding the association between SHSE and hypertension as well as exploration of the links between SHSE and hypertensive end-organ damage.

Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with increased left ventricular mass

“…In theory, the pro-inflammatory effect of cigarette smoke on myocardial tissue may promote the cellular hypertrophy, fibrosis, and structural abnormalities that ultimately lead to increased LV mass and its downstream sequelae 9 . SHS exposure is also associated with increased oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic control; all can contribute to LVH 2 , 34 , 35 .…”

“…Less is known about the harms of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, but a growing body of evidence has identified it as a major public health problem and it is estimated to cause 1% of total worldwide mortality 1 . use and hypertension are the two leading risk factors for preventable mortality and attributable disabilityadjusted life years, so SHS exposure has the potential for enormous public health consequences 2,6 .…”

“…Less is known about the harms of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, but a growing body of evidence has identified it as a major public health problem and it is estimated to cause 1% of total worldwide mortality 1 . Recent evidence suggests that SHS exposure is associated with chronic hypertension among non-smokers 2 . Hypertension affects about one-third of US adults and is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), end-stage renal disease, and increased mortality 3 - 5 .…”

“…Hypertension affects about one-third of US adults and is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), end-stage renal disease, and increased mortality 3 - 5 . Globally, tobacco use and hypertension are the two leading risk factors for preventable mortality and attributable disability-adjusted life years, so SHS exposure has the potential for enormous public health consequences 2 , 6 .…”

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Recent evidence suggests that SHS exposure is associated with chronic hypertension among nonsmokers 2 . Hypertension affects about one-third of US adults and is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), end-stage renal disease, and increased mortality [3][4][5] .

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