Effect of Smoking on Cardiovascular System

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSmoking is a major killer. It kills half of its users and lifetime smoker has 50% chance of smoking related death. Indians are heavy users of tobacco; people of lower socio-economic study commonly smoke bidis. Tobacco smoke contains 7000 compounds including phenols, carbohydrates and nitrosamines, many of which are carcinogenic. Nicotine, present in tobacco, is a vasoactive compound increasing vascular resistance. Acutely, smoking increases heart rate and BP within 10 minutes of exposure. There is a dose-response relationship between smoking and LV dysfunction. A Spanish study has shown smoking to be commonest risk factor for stroke. Cessation of smoking is the most cost effective strategy for CV disease prevention. Cessation of smoking reduces both MI and death irrespective of gender and duration of followup.