Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of smoking in young adults on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the clustering effect of behavioral risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and depression. METHODS: A Korean nationwide population-based cohort of a total of 3,280,826 participants aged 20-39 years old who underwent 2 consecutive health examinations were included. They were followed up until the date of CVD (myocardial infarction [MI] or stroke), or December 2018 (median, 6 years). RESULTS: Current smoking, early age of smoking initiation, and smoking intensity were associated with an increased risk of CVD incidence. Even after quitting smoking, the risk of MI was still high in quitters compared with non-smokers. Cigarette smoking, obesity, and depression were independently associated with a 1.3-1.7 times increased risk of CVD, and clustering of 2 or more of these behavioral risk factors was associated with a 2-3 times increased risk of CVD in young adults. CONCLUSIONS: In young adults, cigarette smoking was associated with the risk of CVD, and the clustering of 2 or more behavioral risk factors showed an additive risk of CVD.