Heart disease modifiable risk factors - smoking

A smoker’s risk of developing coronary heart disease is 2 to 3 times that of nonsmoker’s. Cigarette smoking is a powerful risk factor for coronary heart disease. Cigarette smoking, including second hand smoke, also acts with other risk factors to greatly increase the risk for coronary heart disease. Cigarette smoking has been identified by the United States Surgeon General as being the most preventable cause of premature death. The risk of coronary heart disease decreases dramatically with smoking cessation.

Review Date: 8/23/2022

Reviewed By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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