New groundbreaking research published in eClinicalMedicine delves deep into the intricate relationship between smoking habits and the likelihood of experiencing a stroke. This comprehensive study sheds light on how different aspects of smoking behavior can impact the risk of suffering from a stroke.
The study, conducted by researchers from St John's Medical College and Research Institute in Bengaluru, reveals that current smokers have a significantly higher risk of experiencing a stroke compared to non-smokers.
This risk is especially high for ischaemic strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked.
Impact of Various Smoking Habits
Both filtered and non-filtered cigarette consumption are linked to an increased risk of stroke. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) for more than 10 hours a week also doubles the likelihood of suffering from a stroke, particularly ischaemic and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) strokes.
The study also highlights that individuals under 50 who smoke heavily (more than 20 cigarettes a day) have more than double the risk of suffering from a stroke, with an eightfold increase in the risk of large vessel stroke for those aged 50-59. Data from 32 countries across different income levels shows that Western European and North American regions have the highest risk of stroke among current smokers.
These findings emphasize the urgent need for global efforts to reduce tobacco use and exposure.
The researchers recommend preventive measures to prevent youth initiation and support current smokers in quitting. They also suggest implementing legislation to create smoke-free environments to reduce the risk of stroke associated with smoking.
Regional disparities in smoking prevalence were also noted in the study, with high rates of current smokers among young men in South East Asia and young females in Eastern/Central Europe and the Middle East.
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