Secondhand Smoke: Stroke Risk Rises When Nonsmokers Exposed

New findings published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveal that secondhand smoke could increase the risk of stroke by close to 30 percent for nonsmokers.

"Our findings suggest the possibility for adverse health outcomes such as stroke among nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke and add to the body of evidence supporting stricter smoking regulations," Angela Malek, lead author of the study, said in a statement.

For the study, researchers analyzed data on over 22,000 people with 23 percent of them reporting secondhand smoke exposure in the past year. Throughout this period of April 2003 to March 2012, 428 strokes were reported.

Literature concerning adverse health effects of SHS is becoming clearer. However, not all studies have replicated the association between SHS exposure and stroke.

"Previous studies suffer from limitations in that few were prospective, adjustment for potential confounders has varied, stroke and secondhand smoke exposure have not been consistently defined, measurement and sources of secondhand smoke exposure have differed, stroke subtypes have not always been assessed, and some studies have been underpowered due to small sample size," Malek said.

The study results suggest the possiblity of adverse health outcomes, including stroke, among nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke; health officials hope that this body of evidence will support stricter smoking regulations. 

"Future research will need to investigate the role of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the association and explore potential exposure to additional environmental variables, such as ambient air pollutants, in relation to stroke." Malek said.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that secondhand smoke can occur just about anywhere, including in homes, worksites and even public places. Estimats also reveal that nearly 800,000 people in the Untied States suffer from strokes annually, with one out of every 19 deaths in the country stroke-related.

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