Shattered Lives, Unbroken Habits: The Alarming Truth About Smoking After a Stroke
Smoking and Stroke: The Hidden Dangers
The Risks of Smoking After a Stroke
Quitting Smoking Can Significantly Reduce the Risk of Myocardial Infarction
Smoking and Stroke: A Deadly Combination
A recent study has shown that two out of three smokers continue to smoke even after suffering a stroke, which increases the risk of myocardial infarction. The study suggests that more active education and treatment on smoking cessation is needed to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction after a stroke.
The Study
The joint research team of professors from Hallym University Dong Elastic Heart Hospital, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, and Soongsil University used data from the National Health Insurance Service to study ischemic stroke between 2010 and 2016. The study analyzed patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke and found that among 199,051 patients aged 40 years and older, 35,054 people (18%) smoked before their diagnosis. Among them, 22,549 (64.3%) continued to smoke even after their stroke diagnosis.
The Risks of Smoking
Smoking clogs blood vessels and is considered a major cause of stroke and heart attack. The study found that smoking significantly increased the risk of myocardial infarction after stroke. New smokers and continuous smokers had a risk of myocardial infarction about 1.5 times higher than nonsmokers.
The Benefits of Quitting
On the other hand, if you had only smoked in the past or quit smoking after a stroke, the risk of myocardial infarction was calculated to be 0.85 and 1.07, respectively. This means that even if you have a history of smoking, quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing a myocardial infarction to a level similar to that of a nonsmoker.
Expert Insights
Professor Park said, “Stroke and myocardial infarction have something in common: ischemic diseases caused by blood supply problems. Through this study, we have confirmed that the risk of myocardial infarction after stroke can be significantly reduced by changing lifestyle habits such as quitting smoking.”
Professor Lee added, “According to recent research, it has been shown that people who have had a stroke often fail to quit smoking or start smoking again while suffering from depression. Patients with stroke and symptoms of depression need more active smoking cessation education and care.”