Alcohol and smoking: Synergism in heart disease?

It is well known that cigarette smoking is a strong risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1]. Moderate wine drinking has cardioprotective effects while alcohol abuse causes cardiomyopathy, hypertension and stroke in most cases. Epidemiologic studies suggest that current and former alcoholic adults are at greater risk for some deleterious health effects of smoking, particularly cancer and cardiovascular disease, than are members of the general smoking and nonsmoking populations. More alcoholics die from tobacco-related diseases than from alcoholism [2]. Although many studies have found individual effects of tobacco smoke or alcohol in promoting cardiovascular disease, few studies have investigated the synergisms during concomitant use of alcohol and tobacco. It is really very complicated and conditional since it depends on the dosage and types of alcohol and tobacco use, as well as other aspects of health condition. Most heavy alcohol users also smoke or have smoked superfrequently.