Welcome to Medivizor!

You're browsing our sample library. Feel free to continue browsing. You can also sign up for free to receive medical information specific to your situation.

Posted by on Jul 26, 2019 in Coronary artery disease | 0 comments

In a nutshell

This study investigated the relationship between smoking and the risk of a second cardiovascular event (CVE). Researchers suggested that after a first CVE, smoking cessation (SC; quit smoking) lowers the risk of a second CVE. 

Some background

Cardiovascular events (CVEs) include stroke, heart attack or death due to damage to the heart and blood vessels. 30 to 50% of patients are smokers at the time of the first CVE. Although the negative side effects of smoking are widely known, smoking is highly addictive, and quitting can be very difficult.

Prior studies showed that SC is more effective than medicines in the treatment of risk factors. However, a big percentage of smokers do not quit after a first CVE.

It is not clear how quitting smoking can be associated with a second CVE in patients who had a first event.

Methods & findings

This study included information about 4673 smokers who had a first CVE. A third of the smokers stopped after their first CVE. During an average of 7.4 years of follow-up, 794 patients died and 692 experienced a second CVE.

Patients in the SC group had a 36% improvement in the odds of having a second CVE. These patients lived on average 5 years longer. A second CVE occurred 10 years later when compared to patients who did not quit. In elderly patients (70 years of age) SC improved survival comparable to former or never smokers. 

The bottom line

This study concluded that SC after a first CVE significantly lowers the risk of a second event. 

The fine print

This study did not account for changes in smoking behavior during the follow-up period.

What’s next?

Discuss with your doctor options for smoking cessation.

Published By :

American heart journal

Date :

Jul 01, 2019

Original Title :

Smoking cessation and risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality after a first manifestation of arterial disease.

click here to get personalized updates