All Tobacco Harmful for the Heart

A new research found that all forms of tobacco smoking or consuming are extremely dangerous for the heart. Tobacco smoking, passive smoking or chewing tobacco affect the heart and may lead to serious disorders in consumers. Even sheesha tobacco, common in the Middle East and beedie, widely consumed in South Asia, have negative effects on health.

The team involved in the study included researchers at the McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, and was led by scholars Salim Yusuf and Koon Teo. Their study was called the Interheart study and its findings are published in the Lancet Journal. For the research, Canadian experts carried out a worldwide investigation of people who consume tobacco in all forms. The tobacco smokers, inhalers, chewers etc. analyzed in the study came from 52 countries all over the world and the number of individuals investigated was close to 27,000.

Results of the Interheart research showed that tobacco consumption increases three times the heart attack risks. Therefore, heavy tobacco smokers are three times more likely to suffer from a heart attack than non-smokers. Also, smokers who do not exceed the 8 to ten cigarettes per day limit have a two times fold risk of having a heart attack. Second hand or passive smokers are not free of risks, however - both former smokers and non-smokers who are exposed for more than 22 hours weekly to inhaling tobacco smoke have a 45% higher risk of heart attack.

If the news about the risks of heart attack in tobacco consumers were the bad news of the study, the researchers also have good news for people who decide to quit smoking. Findings showed that light smokers (8-10 cigarettes daily) are free of heart disease or attack within 3 to 5 years after cutting on the habit. However, heavy smokers (20 or more cigarettes per day) still presented a 22% risk even after 20 years of keeping away from smoking.

"Since the risks of heart attack associated with smoking dissipate substantially after smoking cessation, public health efforts to prevent people from starting the habit and promote quitting in current smokers, will have a large impact in the prevention of heart attacks worldwide," pointed out Professor Salim Yusuf.