Nicotine Dependence and Cardiovascular Diseases: Biobehavioral and Psychosocial Correlates

Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. The link between pathology and tobacco use has been established through accumulating evidence over four decades demonstrating a dose-response relationship between cigarette smoking (amount and duration) and risk for cardiovascular diseases. This chapter will review examples of research demonstrating acute and chronic effects of smoking on cardiovascular function, the interaction of nicotine effects and stress, long-term effects of cigarette smoking on cardiovascular disease risk, and mechanisms mediating effects of cigarettes smoking on cardiovascular disease. In addition, a review of moderating factors, available intervention options to address smoking, and benefits of cessation on cardiovascular health will be undertaken. The article concludes with a summary of current research findings of the link between tobacco use and cardiovascular disease and future directions.