[Cardiovascular benefits of smoking cessation]

Smoking is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Its cardiovascular impact is often underestimated. It is the essential and often unique factor for acute coronary syndromes in young adults. It intervenes without threshold of intensity or duration of consumption. The mechanisms are primarily thrombosis and spasm. Smoking cessation can bring a fast and very important cardiovascular benefit. It has the best cost/effectiveness ratio in cardiovascular prevention. This aspect of cardiovascular prevention is still too often neglected. Tobacco consumption must systematically be sought and precisely documented. The essential aim is to quit smoking totally, definitively and as early as possible. Modern methods of smoking cessation must be proposed to all the smokers. Nicotinic replacement therapy can be used in coronary patients even just after a myocardial infarction. A long follow-up and a particular support must be proposed to all ex smokers.