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Stroke risk dangerously high in smokers, study finds

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Cholesterol testing may be an important part of health screenings for smokers. new research indicates that these individuals are significantly more likely to suffer a stroke due to clogged arteries.

After analyzing the health records of nearly 1,000 stroke patients, researchers from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute found that smokers were two times more likely to experience a stroke. Furthermore, they suffered the event an average of 10 years early than non-smoking stroke patients.

The researchers said the increase in stroke risk was largely due to the fact that tobacco use is known to cause a condition called atherosclerosis, in which cholesterol buildups block blood vessels.

They said it would be important for doctors to do more to help their patients who are at risk for suffering a cardiovascular event quit smoking. They also called the fact that cigarettes remain such a common cause of death and disability "scandalous."

"The information from this study provides yet another important piece of evidence about the significance of helping people stop smoking," said Dr. Andrew Pipe, who led the study.