Smoking

Smoking is the active or passive exposure to nicotine and other toxic substances from tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) or other inhaled forms that adversely affect cardiovascular risk.

Smoking is one of the major risk factors for pulmonary, oncological, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as atrial fibrillation (AF).

Illustration depicting smoking as a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation with an ECG recording of the arrhythmia.

Smoking
Definition Smoking is the active or passive exposure to nicotine and other toxic substances from tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) or other inhaled forms that adversely affect cardiovascular risk.
Symptoms Chronic cough Frequent upper respiratory tract infections Weakness Yellow discoloration of teeth and fingers Prematurely aged facial appearance
Diagnosis Targeted question whether the patient smokes.

Smoking induces chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and progression of atherosclerosis within the cardiovascular system, leading to organ, myocardial, and atrial ischaemia. This creates a substrate for AF.

The incidence of AF is twofold higher in smokers compared with non-smokers.

Smoking and Atrial Fibrillation	Class
Smoking is one of the major risk factors for pulmonary, oncological, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as atrial fibrillation.	I
Smoking is not recommended.	III