16 Dec Young Smokers Have Drastic Increase in Heart Attack Risk

Posted at 22:24h in Author Interviews, BMJ, Heart Disease, Smoking by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Kevin Campbell MD FACC Wake Heart and Vascular Assistant Professor of Medicine, UNC School of Medicine Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology in Raleigh, Smithfield and Wilson North Carolina.

Dr. Kevin Campbell

Dr. Kevin Campbell MD FACC
Wake Heart and Vascular
Assistant Professor of Medicine,  UNC School of Medicine
Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology in Raleigh, Smithfield and Wilson
North Carolina 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: In this study, data was analyzed from nearly 1800 patients who had ST elevation MI.  Findings were published in Heart.  They found that younger  smokers (age under the age of 50)  had an 8-fold increased risk of acute STEMI , when compared to ex- and never smokers.

In addition, researchers found that current smokers of all ages were 3.26 times more likely to have STEMI than ex- and never-smokers—suggesting that if you stop smoking, you can reduce your risk for heart attack.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Smoking is an independent risk factory for heart disease and may actually be one of the greatest risks—outweighing genetics and other risks.

Also, when younger people smoke, it is even more detrimental to heart health.  And if smokers quit, they can actually significantly reverse their risk for heart disease.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: We must pivot our focus in medicine from TREATMENT to PREVENTION.  Part of prevention of heart disease is smoking cessation.  We must do a better job helping our patients quit.  Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the US>

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

 Pronounced increase in risk of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in younger smokers

Amelia Lloyd, Lloyd Steele, James Fotheringham, Javaid Iqbal, Ayyaz Sultan, M Dawn Teare,Ever D Grech

Heart heartjnl-2016-309595Published Online First: 29 November 2016 doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2016-309595

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on December 16, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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