While cancer, diabetes, hearing, and vision loss are at the top of your worry list as a combustible cigarette smoker, cardiovascular issues are also a growing issue, as new research shows that smoking doubles the risk of premature heart disease. Learn more about this study below.
The study
New research from Kaiser Permanente, a healthcare company, shows that young adults who smoke combustible cigarettes are twice as likely to develop premature heart disease as those of the same age who don’t smoke. The study, which was published November 16, 2021, in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, concluded that its findings are especially important for women, as 1 in 3 living in the U.S. will die from cardiovascular disease.
Researchers used electronic medical records to identify 871,989 Kaiser Permanente Northern California members between the ages of 30 and 55 who had no history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—a type of heart disease that occurs when fatty deposits (plaque) build up in the arteries. This heart disease causes the plaque in your arteries to narrow, which blocks the flow of blood to your heart. Smoking was found to be the key risk factor for ASCVD.
The study examined individuals that were current or former smokers as well as those who had never smoked at all. Then, they looked to see which participants developed ASCVD between 2005 and 2015.
What were the results?
Overall, 16.5% of the young adults in the study were current smokers and 13.7% were former smokers. The analysis revealed that current smokers had two times the risk of developing ASCVD compared to those that had never smoked. The risk of developing ASCVD was lower in former smokers, but still higher than it was in those who had never smoked
What should you do?
Heart disease causes heart attacks, strokes, and a slew of cardiovascular diseases that can cause pain, discomfort, blocked arteries and blood vessels, irregular heartbeats, blood clots, and more, so it’s important to lower your risk by quitting smoking today!
How can you promote smoking cessation and lower your risk of heart disease? While eating well and getting proper exercise can go a long way in lowering your risk, the best thing you can do for yourself is to quit smoking. If cold turkey doesn’t feel like the best option for you, we recommend lowering your nicotine intake with an e-cig so that you can wave goodbye to the harmful effects of tobacco and select a nicotine strength that works for your needs.
What did you think of the above study? Did you quit smoking for health reasons?
