simone
Gold Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2005
Posts: 475
Report abuse
|
 Posted: 08/02/08 - 05:06 Post subject: Stroke risk from smoking partner |
  |
|
The stroke dangers to smokers are well known but few studies have explored the risk of passive smoking.
Researchers from The Harvard University found that living with a smoking partner raises the risk of stroke, even if you are a non-smoker yourself.
The Harvard team looked at records of more than 16,000 people aged over 50, and their spouses, over a period of, on average, just over nine years. The results were adjusted for other factors that could influence stroke risk and non-smokers living in the same house as a smoker were found to be at far greater risk of stroke.
They found that the risk of stroke rose by up to 72% for some non-smokers. The percentage increased after the introduction of smoking bans in public places as home is now the most likely place smokers to smoke and for non-smokers to inhale second-hand smoke.
Even if the person had never-smoked, living with a smoker raised their stroke risk by 42%. If they had smoked at some point in their lives, the increase in risk was even higher, at 72%.
Being married to a former smoker was found not to increase risk.
It is now, more than ever clear, that quitting smoking has health benefits that extend beyond individual smokers. Smokers are urged to consider the effects their smoking has on their health and on health of others around them. |
|
