Smoking major cause of rise in cardiac deaths (India)

As cardiovascular diseases pose one of the biggest health threats in the country, experts believe tobacco consumption is emerging as a major "preventable" risk factor in making the population prone to heart disorders and lowering the age of vulnerability. Tobacco intake, especially smoking, is also a major cause of rise in sudden cardiac deaths, particularly in patients who have no known history or genetic disposal towards cardiac ailments, cardiologists say. "While there are a number of factors that make people prone to cardiac problems, besides genes, tobacco is the most notable facilitator that is leaving a large section of population with blocked arteries and troubled vascular systems," said Dr Balbir Singh, senior cardiologist at Delhi's Apollo hospital - Zeenews