Investigating the interplay of smoking, cardiovascular risk factors, and overall cardiovascular disease risk: NHANES analysis 2011–2018

Abstract Background This study explores the intricate relationship between smoking, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and their combined impact on overall CVD risk, utilizing data from NHANES 2011–2018. Methods Participants were categorized based on the presence of CVD, and we compared their demographic, social, and clinical characteristics. We utilized logistic regression models, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, and the chi-squared test to examine the associations between variables and CVD risk. Results Significant differences in characteristics were observed between those with and without CVD. Serum cotinine levels exhibited a dose-dependent association with CVD risk. The highest quartile of cotinine levels corresponded to a 2.33-fold increase in risk. Smoking, especially in conjunction with lower HDL-c, significantly increases CVD risk. Combinations of smoking with hypertension, central obesity, diabetes, and elevated triglycerides also contributed to increased CVD risk. Waist-to-Height Ratio, Visceral Adiposity Index, A Body Shape Index, Conicity Index, Triglyceride-Glucose Index, Neutrophil, Mean platelet volume and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio demonstrated significant associations with CVD risk, with varying levels of significance post-adjustment. When assessing the combined effect of smoking with multiple risk factors, a combination of smoking, central obesity, higher triglycerides, lower HDL-c, and hypertension presented the highest CVD risk, with an adjusted odds ratio of 14.18. Conclusion Smoking, when combined with central obesity, higher triglycerides, lower HDL-c, and hypertension, presented the highest CVD risk, with an adjusted odds ratio of 14.18.