A recent study presented at the ESC Congress 2024 reveals that individuals with coronary artery disease can significantly reduce their risk of a heart attack by 44% if they quit smoking. The risk for those with this condition increases by 8% for every year they continue to smoke, emphasizing the importance of smoking cessation for overall cardiovascular health.
The study, which analyzed data from the CLARIFY registry, found that participants who quit smoking after their diagnosis saw a substantial reduction in their risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event, regardless of when they stopped tobacco use. However, researchers noted that simply cutting back on smoking did not lower the risk significantly compared to those who continued smoking.
Experts stress the importance of quitting smoking as soon as possible for both individuals with and without coronary artery disease. Dr. Jules Mesnier, a cardiologist at Hospital Bichat-Claude Bernard in Paris, highlights the need for clear and concise messages to encourage smokers to quit for better cardiovascular health.
Dr. Robert Page, a professor of clinical pharmacy, emphasizes the powerful impact of smoking cessation on cardiovascular risk reduction, noting that even former smokers did not return to their baseline risk status before smoking. Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist, agrees that quitting smoking is essential for minimizing the risk of future cardiovascular events and can potentially be life-saving.
Overall, experts stress that smoking cessation is crucial for reducing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events, regardless of when individuals with coronary artery disease quit smoking. They recommend a comprehensive approach to promote smoking cessation, including counseling, behavioral interventions, and pharmacological therapy when necessary. Ultimately, the message is clear: quitting smoking is essential for better cardiovascular health and overall well-being.