Smoking and Ischaemic Heart Disease

Abstract

In Western countries, smoking is the most important risk factor for the development of ischaemic heart disease.

From epidemiological studies it can be calculated that about 30% of all cases of ischaemic heart disease are caused by smoking. If the calculation is performed in patients below the age of 50 years, then about 80% of cases are explained by smoking [1].

At present, most cardiologists are focusing on the issue of cholesterol, and in our opinion, too small an interest is being paid to the question of smoking. In examining the literature, it is interesting to note that it is very difficult to find a review focussed on the connection between smoking and ischaemic heart disease. In fact, the last review on this topic was published in 1988 [2], focusing on the relationship between smoking, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease.