[Smoking and the cardiovascular system]

In this brief review the results of the most important studies about smoking and cardiovascular diseases are referred. Epidemiological, pathological, and clinical data show an higher mortality from coronary heart diseases in smokers, and an higher frequency of atherosclerothic lesions, affecting all types of sistemic vessels. By an analysis of the tobacco smoke composition, some of the effects and acting mechanism of nicotine and Carbone Monoxideon the cardiocirculatory system are treated. It is remarkable that cigarette smoke is only a "risk factor" and overall together other conditions as hypertension or dyslipidamia.