Search

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) produce almost a million deaths a year in Latin America (LA), becoming the main cause of death in the last years, and it is estimated that the number of deaths in the region attributable to CVD will increase in the near future. This new epidemic is a consequence of the demographic, economic and social changes observed in LA in recent years. Coronary heart disease and stroke causes 42.5 % and 28.8%, respectively of the CVD mortality in the region. Chagas heart involvement and rheumatic heart disease, once a major health problem, are responsible of only 1% of the mortality each. Improving in socioeconomic status, increased life expectancy and high prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis have been the major determinants of this marked epidemiologic change.

ResumenEn Chile, la prevalencia de tabaquismo en mayores de 15 años es 40,6%. El tabaquismo activo y pasivo provoca enfermedad cardiovascular como consecuencia del efecto del monóxido de carbono y nicotina a través de inducción de un estado de hipercoagulación, aumento del trabajo cardíaco, vasoconstricción coronaria, liberación de catecolaminas, alteración del metabolismo de los lípidos y alteración de la función endotelial.Se estima que en el mundo mueren 5.4millones de personas prematuramente al año debido al uso de tabaco y subirá a 10millones para el 2025. En Chile más de 41 personas mueren cada día por enfermedades asociadas al tabaco y el gasto anual en estas enfermedades es US$1.100millones. Al analizar los datos chilenos del estudio INTERHEART el tabaco fue el factor de riesgo más importante, con un 42% (95%IC 33.2-51.4%) de los infartos atribuibles al hábito de fumar, lo que se explica por las altas tasas de consumo. Hay una importante reducción de riesgo al dejar de fumar.SummaryIn Chile, the prevalence of smoking in older than 15 years old is 40.6%. Active and passive smoking produces cardiovascular disease due to effect of carbon monoxide and nicotine, though the induction of an increased coagulation and cardiac work, coronary artery constriction, catecholamine releases, abnormal lipid metabolism and endothelial dysfunction.It is estimated that 5.4million people died each year prematurely worldwide due to tobacco use and this will rise to 10million in year 2025. In Chile more than 41 persons died each day for diseases associated with tobacco, and the smoking associated diseases expenses are US 1.100million a year. When Chilean data of the INTERHEART study is analyzed, smoking was the most important risk factor for myocardial infarction, with 42% (95%IC 33.2-51.4%) of the infarctions attributable to smoking, and this can be explained by the high tobacco consumption rate in the Chilean population. An important risk reduction is observed when smoking stops.