Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Tied to Risk for Atrial Fibrillation
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, April 9, 2024 -- Even a small amount of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is linked to a greater risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the European Heart Rhythm Association, held from April 7 to 9 in Berlin.
Kyung-Yeon Lee, from Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea, and colleagues used data from 400,493 adults (aged 40 to 69 years) participating in the U.K. Biobank.
The researchers found that 21 percent of participants reported being exposed to SHS in the previous year, with an average exposure of 2.2 hours per week. During a median follow-up of 12.5 years, AF developed in 6 percent of participants. Even when adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, daily alcohol consumption, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and socioeconomic status, a 6 percent higher risk for AF persisted among those exposed to SHS. Every increase in the duration of weekly passive smoking was associated with further heightened risk for AF (e.g., 7.8 hours of passive smoking per week was associated with an 11 percent higher likelihood of AF versus no passive smoking).
"The dangers of secondhand smoke were significant regardless of whether individuals were at home, outdoors, or at work, indicating that exposure universally elevates the risk of atrial fibrillation," Lee said in a statement. "We should all make every effort to avoid spending time in smoky environments."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted April 2024
Read this next
Deep Learning Model Using Transthoracic Echocardiograms Can ID A-Fib
TUESDAY, May 14, 2024 -- A deep learning model using transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) can predict patients with active or occult atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study...
Cytisinicline Beneficial for Cessation of Electronic Cigarette Smoking
MONDAY, May 13, 2024 -- Cytisinicline for 12 weeks with behavioral support is efficacious for cessation of electronic cigarette smoking, according to a study published online May...
Disparities in Direct Oral Anticoagulant Initiation Have Declined in Recent Years
FRIDAY, May 10, 2024 -- Historical disparities in initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for atrial fibrillation have lessened for Black and Hispanic patients, according...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.