Impact of smoking from childhood associated with greater risk of cardiac damage
Abstract
Active and passive tobacco exposure during childhood and adolescence represents a critical preventable risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease. Tobacco smoking in early life poses an elevated risk of endothelial dysfunction, vascular alteration, and irregular heart rhythm, which may lead to thrombosis. Smoking may temporarily raise cardiac output, enhance heart rate, augment cardiac contractility, and increase cardiac filling due to systemic venoconstriction. Emerging studies have shown that smoking is an independent driver of ventricular hypertrophy in the young population, as a crucial factor in cardiovascular risk progression. This narrative review provides up-to-date evidence regarding epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical implications of active and passive childhood tobacco exposure on a growing heart. Long-term prospective relationships between tobacco use and structural and functional heart alterations were discussed, and strategies to reduce smoking interest in the young population were also highlighted. Finally, this review re-engages interest in a sensational topic that cannot be wished away like a bad dream and recommends strategic actions to take to save the youth's heart.
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