Secondhand smoke seems to be even worse.
A recent large-scale study suggests that even minimal exposure to secondhand smoke could heighten the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), a prevalent heart rhythm disorder.
A-Fib poses a significant risk factor for stroke, with individuals afflicted by the condition being five times more likely to suffer from strokes compared to their healthier counterparts.
While the detrimental effects of passive smoking on heart health and mortality have been established, previous research on the association between secondhand smoke and A-Fib has been inconclusive. However, findings from this extensive study shed light on a direct correlation.
Dr. Kyung-Yeon Lee, the study’s lead author from Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea, emphasized that the hazards of secondhand smoke exposure were evident regardless of the setting, whether at home, outdoors, or in the workplace. The study, conducted using data from the UK Biobank, encompassed over 400,000 individuals aged between 40 and 69, excluding current smokers and those with pre-existing A-Fib.
Participants provided information on their exposure to secondhand smoke over the past year, with approximately one in five reporting such exposure, averaging 2.2 hours per day. Over a median follow-up period of 12.5 years, 6% of participants developed A-Fib.
Upon accounting for various influencing factors such as demographics, lifestyle choices, and pre-existing health conditions, researchers observed a 6% increased risk of A-Fib among individuals exposed to secondhand smoke.
Moreover, the study revealed a dose-response relationship between exposure duration and A-Fib risk, with higher exposure correlating with elevated risk levels. For instance, those exposed to secondhand smoke for 7.8 hours per week faced an 11% higher risk of developing A-Fib compared to non-exposed individuals.
Dr. Lee underscored the importance of implementing smoking bans to safeguard public health, emphasizing the harmful effects of passive smoking even in outdoor environments.
In light of these findings, Dr. Lee urged individuals to avoid spending time in areas where smoking is prevalent to mitigate the risk of developing A-Fib.
The study’s findings were presented at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Berlin, highlighting the importance of further research in this area. As with all preliminary findings presented at conferences, validation through peer-reviewed publication is necessary for conclusive interpretation.
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