title: Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Tobacco-Related CVD.
abstract: Cigarette smoking is a leading preventable risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Epidemiologic studies conclusively prove that both active smoking and secondhand smoke contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality related to CVD. Cigarette smoke is a mixture of several toxic chemicals, of which nicotine, carbon monoxide, and oxidant chemicals are most commonly implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Tobacco causes endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, insulin resistance, alteration of lipid profile, hemodynamic alterations, and a hypercoagulable state. All of these act synergistically as pathobiologic mechanisms of atherothrombosis in tobacco users.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Salman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salahuddin
authors.affiliation: Centre for Chronic Disease Control and Director, Center of Excellence in Cardio-metabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Dorairaj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prabhakaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ambuj
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roy