14 DAY TRIAL // A recent report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine argues that it's not just those who smoke that are bound to be made ill by this habit of theirs.
On the contrary, study lead author Angela M. Malek with the University of South Carolina and fellow researchers claim that simply being around smokers is enough to make people who don't indulge in this vice more vulnerable to stroke events.
In their study, the researchers explain that, having compiled and analyzed data concerning 428 instances of stroke documented between April 2003 and March 2012 in a study group of 22,000, they found that exposure to secondhand smoke correlates with a 30% increase in stroke risk.
Most of the time, exposure to secondhand smoke leads to stroke caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain, the scientists go on to detail. Still, hemorrhagic strokes are also possible.
“Our findings suggest the possibility for adverse health outcomes such as stroke among nonsmokers exposed to SHS and add to the body of evidence supporting stricter smoking regulations,” said study leader Angela M. Malek in a statement, as cited by Science Daily.
Reports say that, in this day and age, around 800,000 strokes are documented in the US on a yearly basis. Furthermore, health officials say that such cerebrovascular accidents are to blame for 1 in 19 deaths.