Can smoking and secondhand smoke exposure also trigger coronary heart disease?
May 26, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Coronary heart disease generally refers to coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are common triggers of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Smoking causes damage to vascular endothelial cells and induces inflammatory responses, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, which may lead to coronary artery stenosis or occlusion, ultimately resulting in myocardial ischemia and angina pectoris.
Coronary heart disease generally refers to coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke commonly trigger coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. The specific analysis is as follows:
Smoking causes damage to vascular endothelial cells and induces inflammatory responses, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, which can lead to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, ultimately resulting in myocardial ischemia and angina pectoris. Secondhand smoke refers to the inhalation of chemical and harmful substances—such as carbon monoxide and benzene from tobacco smoke—by nonsmokers when people around them are smoking. Exposure to secondhand smoke poses cardiovascular risks similar to active smoking, including increased risks of coronary artery stenosis, thrombosis, myocardial ischemia, and cardiovascular events. Therefore, both smoking and secondhand smoke exposure can trigger coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.
Smokers are advised to quit smoking as early as possible to reduce the risk of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Meanwhile, nonsmokers should also avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, especially in enclosed spaces, and strive to breathe fresh air to protect their cardiovascular health. If symptoms of cardiac discomfort occur, prompt medical attention at a hospital is recommended.
