Predictors of Cardiovascular Risk in Women
Predictors of Cardiovascular Risk in Women
Approximately one in five deaths in the USA are attributed to tobacco use, with a third of these related to CVD. Many mechanisms of cigarette smoking-induced CVD have been postulated and smoking is known to increase inflammation, thrombosis and oxidation of LDL cholesterol, all of which are important contributors to atherosclerosis. Women are particularly susceptible to smoking's deleterious effects; smoking one to four cigarettes per day can triple cardiovascular event risk. In a pooled analysis of 26 trials comprised of 2.4 million patients, the relative risk ratio of smokers to nonsmokers for developing atherogenic CVD was 25% higher in women than in men. In addition, women tend to be less successful at quitting smoking than men. While the overall smoking rate has dropped by approximately 20% over the last decade, gender-specific barriers to care remain a challenge. Smoking cessation measures can reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for smokers. Unfortunately, data suggest that young smokers and women smokers are less likely to receive appropriate advice to quit smoking compared with older or male smokers.
Smoking
Approximately one in five deaths in the USA are attributed to tobacco use, with a third of these related to CVD. Many mechanisms of cigarette smoking-induced CVD have been postulated and smoking is known to increase inflammation, thrombosis and oxidation of LDL cholesterol, all of which are important contributors to atherosclerosis. Women are particularly susceptible to smoking's deleterious effects; smoking one to four cigarettes per day can triple cardiovascular event risk. In a pooled analysis of 26 trials comprised of 2.4 million patients, the relative risk ratio of smokers to nonsmokers for developing atherogenic CVD was 25% higher in women than in men. In addition, women tend to be less successful at quitting smoking than men. While the overall smoking rate has dropped by approximately 20% over the last decade, gender-specific barriers to care remain a challenge. Smoking cessation measures can reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for smokers. Unfortunately, data suggest that young smokers and women smokers are less likely to receive appropriate advice to quit smoking compared with older or male smokers.
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