Reuters (8/2, Lehman) reported a new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology on Smoking Associated to Atrial Fibrillation topic. They found that “current smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop the most common heart rhythm disorder, atrial fibrillation.
The article added that “the more a person smokes, the greater the risk, but quitting smoking appears to lower it significantly”, the authors report. Current smokers face the risk of developing the most common heart rhythm disorder, atrial fibrillation, than non-smokers. Furthermore suggesting an analysis of existing research.
- The more a person smokes, the greater the risk, but quitting smoking might lower it significantly, the authors report in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
- “The prevalence of atrial fibrillation might grow over the next decades and it is an important risk factor for a number of other cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality,” lead author Dagfinn Aune told Reuters Health by email.
A researcher with the School of Public Health at Imperial College London in the UK said–
“Tobacco smoking has been proposed as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Based on previous studies it has not been summarized in sufficient detail to answer whether there is a dose-response relationship between an increasing number of cigarettes smoked per day,” said Aune.
Aune’s team analyzed data from 29 studies of atrial fibrillation rates in more than half a million current. Former and never-smokers in Europe, North America, Australia, and Japan.
Comparing the people who had never smoked to current smokers, they had a 32 percent increased risk of having atrial fibrillation. Never-smokers had a 9 percent higher risk.
As the number of cigarettes smoked increase, so did the risk of atrial fibrillation, Aune said. This supports that Smoking Associated to Atrial Fibrillation is increasing. The relative risk of having atrial fibrillation rose by 17 percent, 32 percent, and 45 percent, respectively. Based on 10, 20, and 30 cigarettes smoked per day compared to not smoking, Aune said.
“The much lower risk in former smokers than among current smokers shows that smoking cessation is important for people who smoke, but further studies are needed to clarify whether the risk of atrial fibrillation awaits that of never smokers with longer durations of smoking cessation,” he said.
The study cannot say how smoking increases the likelihood of atrial fibrillation. But, both indirect and direct tools could be involved, the authors note. Smoking increases the risk of other diseases that influence atrial fibrillation. I.e diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, and heart failure, Aune said.
An ADA Science Institute-developed Oral Health Topics page
- This discusses tobacco cessation methods, dental considerations when it comes to tobacco use, and other relevant and evidence-based information. The ADA offers a continuing education course, Tobacco Policy, Pharmacotherapy, and Dentistry. These include information about training possibilities for dental health professionals who want to learn more about tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy.
In addition, the ADA offers the brochure Tobacco and Oral Health, and JADA For the Patient includes the article Knocking Tobacco Out.
Article from: ADA Morning Huddle
Lorin Berland, DDS