tobacco heart

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a functional disorder of the heart, characterized by a rapid and often irregular pulse, caused by excessive use of tobacco.

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Etymology

Origin of tobacco heart

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

There was too much officious paternalism in the air, too many admonitions and not enough lightness of heart—of tobacco heart if necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, when he has sown his wild oats, perhaps he'll come to her, at his own good pleasure, and lay at her feet what he has achieved—a pleasant smattering of things generally talked about, a comprehensive intimacy with things generally not talked about, a tobacco heart, and a set of nerves which make him unfit for publication three days in the week.

From Project Gutenberg

The "irritable heart," the "tobacco heart," a life of promise impaired or blighted.

From Project Gutenberg

The number of prominent persons who have died of "tobacco heart" indicates that the rate of those whose heart action is weakened by the use of tobacco is probably very large.

From Project Gutenberg

A certain percentage of individuals are peculiarly susceptible to tobacco, so that it has a special poisonous effect upon the nerves of the heart, causing a rapid pulse and shortness of breath, known as tobacco heart.

From Project Gutenberg