A startling revelation at the recent ESC Congress 2024 in London: individuals diagnosed with coronary artery disease can slash their risk of heart attack by a staggering 44% simply by quitting smoking.
Researchers have found that each additional year of smoking increases the heart attack risk by 8% for those with coronary artery disease. Surprisingly, merely reducing smoking does not lower this risk compared to those who continue smoking.
Dr. Richard Wright, a cardiologist, emphasized that no level of cigarette smoking is safe. He noted, “The noxious components of smoke immediately lead to a chain of noxious events, making it irrelevant whether one smokes a quarter-pack or two packs of cigarettes with regards to the increase in cardiac risk.”
The study analyzed data from the international CLARIFY registry, examining 32,378 individuals with coronary artery disease approximately six years post-diagnosis. Alarmingly, participants who merely reduced their smoking did not see a significant reduction in their risk compared to those who smoked continuously.
Notably, even former smokers never achieved the cardiovascular risk level of those who never smoked, despite years of abstinence. Dr. Jules Mesnier from Paris highlighted, “It is never too soon or too late to stop smoking, though the sooner, the better to lower cardiovascular risk.”
Dr. Robert Page pointed out the enduring effects of smoking, stating, “Even after quitting, patients did not return to their prior baseline cardiovascular risk status before smoking.” Dr. Cheng-Han Chen echoed this sentiment, asserting that complete cessation, rather than mere reduction, is crucial for minimizing cardiovascular events.
Dr. Jayne Morgan elaborated on the extensive damage smoking inflicts, particularly for women and those in perimenopause or menopause. She explained how smoking irreversibly harms the endothelial lining of coronary arteries and accelerates atherosclerosis, severely impacting blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.
The dangers extend beyond those with coronary artery disease. Dr. Page noted, “Active smoking and secondhand smoke exposure determine over 30% of coronary heart disease deaths.” He cautioned young adults and teens against the false belief that they are invincible, highlighting the severe risks of smoking.
To combat this addiction, Dr. Mesnier recommended combining advice, counseling, behavioral interventions, and pharmacological therapy. Dr. Morgan offered a stark reminder: “Don’t start. If you have started, there is no better time than now to quit.” Dr. Wright concluded, “If you smoke, quit now. In about a decade, that excess risk will evaporate—but only if abstention from cigarette smoke is complete.”
This pivotal study underscores the life-saving benefits of quitting smoking for those with coronary artery disease. With each additional year of smoking magnifying the risk, immediate and complete cessation is paramount for significant health improvements.
Source: Healthline