Smoking and Heart Health Risks Many People Still Miss

 

Most people who smoke understand that cigarettes can cause lung cancer, but far fewer recognize how strongly smoking is connected to heart attacks and strokes. A new international study suggests that this gap in knowledge is especially concerning when it comes to the cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke.

Researchers examined survey data from 46 countries and found that awareness of smoking-related lung cancer was much higher than awareness of its effects on the heart and blood vessels.

Lung Cancer Gets More Attention

Around 92% of smokers surveyed knew that smoking can cause lung cancer. Awareness was lower for cardiovascular conditions.

Depending on the survey analyzed, about 80% to 85% of participants recognized a connection between smoking and heart disease or heart attacks. Awareness of the link with stroke was lower still, at roughly 66% to 75%.

The findings suggest that many people may still associate tobacco primarily with lung disease while overlooking the damage it can cause throughout the cardiovascular system.

Smoking Can Damage Blood Vessels

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals that can harm the body. Some damage the inner lining of blood vessels, while others contribute to inflammation and the buildup of plaque inside arteries.

Smoking can also make blood more likely to clot. A clot that blocks an artery supplying the heart can trigger a heart attack, while a blockage affecting blood flow to the brain can cause an ischemic stroke.

Nicotine can raise heart rate and blood pressure, while carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.

Secondhand Smoke Is Also a Concern

The study found an even larger awareness gap surrounding secondhand smoke.

Between 77% and 82% of participants knew that secondhand smoke could cause lung cancer. However, only about 62% to 73% recognized its connection to heart disease or heart attacks. In several high-income countries, fewer than half of respondents understood the cardiovascular dangers of secondhand smoke.

Health authorities have long warned that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. The CDC says exposure can increase the risk of coronary heart disease by 25% to 30% and stroke by 20% to 30% among adults who do not smoke.

The Risks Go Beyond Long-Term Smoking

The cardiovascular effects of tobacco are not limited to people who have smoked for decades.

Research has shown that even relatively low levels of cigarette smoking can increase cardiovascular risk. That makes it important for smokers to understand that simply reducing the number of cigarettes may not eliminate the danger.

The study also found little improvement in awareness over time. Across the health effects examined, average knowledge increased by only about 0.14 percentage point each year.

Quitting Can Improve Heart Health

Stopping smoking can provide cardiovascular benefits relatively quickly. As the body begins recovering, heart rate and blood pressure can improve, while carbon monoxide levels fall.

Over time, the risks associated with heart disease and stroke also decline.

Health experts generally recommend complete smoking cessation rather than simply cutting back. Support can include behavioral counseling, nicotine replacement products and prescription treatments, depending on a person’s circumstances.

Protecting Others Matters Too

The findings highlight an important point about smoking and heart health: tobacco does not only affect the person holding the cigarette.

People nearby can also be exposed to harmful chemicals through secondhand smoke. Avoiding smoking inside homes, cars and other enclosed spaces can help reduce that exposure.

The researchers’ findings suggest that public awareness campaigns may need to place greater emphasis on cardiovascular risks, not just lung cancer. Understanding the full health impact of tobacco could help more people recognize the benefits of quitting and protecting others from smoke exposure.