The Concept of CMR

Smoking: a Dangerous Addiction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a multifactorial disease. For it to be managed effectively, all risk factors must be taken into account, including smoking. Cigarette smoke contains some 4,000 compounds, including carbon monoxide, ammonia, and known carcinogens (1), and the nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive. Cigarette smoking is not only linked to various cancers (lung, esophagus, bladder, kidney, stomach, pancreas, etc.) and pulmonary diseases, it also significantly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Given its ties to so many health problems, cigarette smoking is a major modifiable risk factor that should be targeted aggressively as part of CVD prevention and management.