Promoting symptom control in palliative care

This review deals with tobacco-associated cardiovascular effects and diseases. The importance of tabaccoism in primary care, its effects on cardiovascular, and immunology system and hemostasia, as well as, the role of smoking in atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarct, diabetes, and other alterations are discussed. Finally we summarize the general tobacco control policies and the methods to achieve smoking cessation. Although it is well established the causal relationship between smoking and disease, and the general public is aware of this, the cardiologist's involvement and commitment is of utmost importance.