Higher risk of stroke in secondhand smokers

An American study suggests that the risk of stroke is not only in smokers but even nonsmokers who live in the same household and breathe in secondhand smoke are at risk.

Researchers found that never-smokers who had a stroke were nearly 50 percent more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke at home than people who had never had a stroke.

During the study, stroke survivors exposed to secondhand smoke were also more likely to die from any cause compared to those without secondhand smoke exposure.

‘Second-hand smoke is a risk to all people, but those with a history of stroke should take extra care to avoid it,’ said lead author Dr. Michelle Lin of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore.

One in four nonsmokers (58 million people) in the U.S. are still exposed to secondhand smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

‘While cigarette smoking has long been known to increase the risk of stroke, less is known about the relationship between secondhand smoke and stroke,’ Lin said by email.

‘No level of exposure to secondhand smoke is safe,’ said Angela Malek, a researcher at the Medical University of South Carolina who studies secondhand smoke risk.

Malek noted that in addition to stroke, adults exposed to secondhand smoke are also at risk for heart disease and lung cancer, while children may experience asthma and infections.

‘Limiting or avoiding areas in which smoking is taking place is recommended for both children and adults,’ Malek said by email.

‘It is never too late to start avoiding environmental smoke exposure! Move away from smokers to minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke. ‘Tell smokers that they put everyone else around them at risk for stroke,’ Lin advised.

Stay away from smokers is a mantra to be observed always!