"Even after a stroke diagnosis, smoking, myocardial infarction risk is 1.5 times higher."

Aug 20, 2024

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Smoking is one of the leading causes of stroke and myocardial infarction by clogging blood vessels. A study found that the risk of myocardial infarction increases when suffering a stroke, but smoking cessation alone can significantly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction after a stroke.

Professor Park Myung-soo (co-corresponding author), Professor Chun Dae-young (co-corresponding author), Professor Han Sung-woo (co-corresponding author), Professor Lee Min-woo (co-corresponding author) of neurology at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, and Professor Han Kyung-do (co-corresponding author) of Soongsil University's Department of Information Statistics Insurance Repair and Information Society Between Smoking Habit Changes and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study)'

The research team analyzed 199,051 people over the age of 40 diagnosed with ischemic stroke from January 2010 to December 2016 using medical data from the National Health Insurance Service. Among them, 35,054 (18%) smokers before being diagnosed with stroke, of which 22,549 people, two-thirds, continued to smoke after being diagnosed with stroke. Even 3,914 people, or 2%, started smoking anew after being diagnosed with a stroke.

Of the total 199,051 ischemic stroke patients, 5,734 (3%) suffered myocardial infarction after diagnosis of stroke. Analysis of the risk of myocardial infarction after adjusting for variables such as age, physical activity, underlying disease, drinking and smoking history showed that smoking significantly increased the risk of myocardial infarction after stroke. New and persistent smokers had a 1.5 times higher risk of developing myocardial infarction compared to non-smokers. On the other hand, in the case of smoking only in the past or quitting smoking after stroke, the risk of myocardial infarction was 0.85 and 1.07, respectively, showing no lower or significant difference than non-smokers.

Professor Park Myung-soo said, `During stroke and myocardial infarction, patients diagnosed with stroke take anti-thrombotic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, and lipid lowering drugs to prevent myocardial infarction due to ischemic diseases caused by blood supply problems"This study confirmed that lifestyle correction such as smoking cessation can significantly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction after stroke."

Professor Chun Dae-young said, `Many smokers continue to smoke after having a stroke, but the study confirmed the importance of smoking cessation and that smoking habits should not be initiated"The clinician should actively warn stroke-diagnosed patients of the risk of smoking and advise them to refrain from smoking.", he explained.

Professor Lee Min-woo said, `Recent studies have shown that stroke experienced people suffer from depression and often fail to stop smoking or start anew.' `More active smoking cessation education and treatment are needed for stroke patients with depressive symptoms.'

The paper was published in the June issue of the SCIE-level international journal 'Neuroepidemiology (Impact Factor: 3.2)'.