Download PDF
The most in-depth study in the world on smoking risks to cardiovascular health reveals 17 Australian smokers die each day from heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular conditions. 

The Australian National University (ANU) conducted a study, in partnership with the Heart Foundation and the Sax Institute, with 190,000 Australian smokers and non-smokers over 7 years. The ’45 and Up’ study considered 36 cardiovascular diseases and found that smoking causes harm to every part of the cardiovascular system.

Lead researcher, Prof. Emily Banks of ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, states that 6400 Australian cardiovascular deaths are caused by smoking each year. Smoking doubles the risk of heart attacks, strokes and heart failures, while also making people five times more likely to develop peripheral cardiovascular diseases such as gangrene. 

Prof. Banks also explains that these results were mirrored in people who smoked an average of 5 cigarettes a day; emphasising that even light or ‘social smoking’ still doubles the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths. 

With 2.7 million smokers in Australia, John Kelly, Heart Foundation CEO, states the battle still is not over. Kelly hopes that these results will urge the government to maintain tobacco control and looks forward to seeing these results mirrored in the Prevention Strategy recently announced by the Minister for Health. 

In response to the results of the study, Director of Quit Victoria, Dr. Sarah White, emphasises the health benefits of quitting at any age and urges current smokers to call the Quitline, talk to their GP or discuss with a health professional. Prioritising quitting by the age of 45 avoids 90% of cardiovascular risks of smoking. 

Dr. Martin McNamara, Deputy CEO of the Sax Institute and Chief Investigator on the 45 and Up study, says by performing the largest long-term health study in Australia and one of the biggest in the world highlights the implications of these findings for healthcare services.
 
Source: BMC Medicine
Image Credit: iStock
 

«« Aspirin Efficacy - All in the Genes?


Low-Carb Diet is Better Irrespective of Weight »»

References:

Banks E et al. (2019) Tobacco smoking and risk of 36 cardiovascular disease subtypes: fatal and non-fatal outcomes in a large prospective Australian study. BMC Medicine, 17:128.



heart failure, smoking, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, strokes, Smoking and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Australian National University, ANU, Heart Foundation, Sax Institute, 45 and Up, Prof. Emily Banks, gangrene, peripheral cardiovascular diseases, stop smoking, social smoking, John Kelly, Dr. Sarah White, Dr. Martin McNamara

Latest Articles

  • Pharmacist in the ICU

    Pharmacists play a crucial role in the ICU, where patients often require complex medication regimens, including multiple medications and intravenous therapies. The role of a critical care pharmacist is multifaceted and vital to ensuring optimal patient care in the critical care setting.   Cr

    READ MORE
  • Defining Medicines Optimisation in the Intensive Care Unit

      Complex polypharmacy and pathophysiology are common in the intensive care unit (ICU). Medicines optimisation is essential to deliver safe, effective, and individualised pharmacotherapy. This is ideally performed by a specialised ICU pharmacist.   Introduction Medicines ar

    READ MORE
  • Critical Care Pharmacists Save Lives

      The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of critical care pharmacists on the interprofessional healthcare team in the care of critically ill patients and explore current gaps in the provision of comprehensive medication management.   Introduction   “The patient’s

    READ MORE
heart failure, smoking, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, strokes, Smoking and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Australian National University, ANU, Heart Foundation, Sax Institute, 45 and Up, Prof. Emily Banks, gangrene, peripheral cardiovascular diseases, stop smoking, social smoking, John Kelly, Dr. Sarah White, Dr. Martin McNamara The most in-depth study in the world on smoking risks to cardiovascular health reveals 17 Australian smokers die each day from heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular conditions.