Women Smokers Are Twice As Likely to Have a Heart Attack as Men

An important study, published online in the American Journal of Cardiology, has examined the role of gender in the relationship between cigarette smoking and cardiovascular events. It was conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor.

Data were obtained from a prospective group of 3,588 patients in the University’s acute coronary event registry who were hospitalized from 1999 to 2006.  Smoking status was ascertained, and death and cardiovascular events (i.e., heart attack [MI], stroke, cardiac-related re-hospitalization, and emergency revascularization procedures), while in hospital and during the next 6 months, were assessed.

Overall, 24% were smokers; they were younger than non-smokers when they presented: men by 9 years and women by 13 years. Among smokers, after adjusting for age, diabetes, high blood lipids, and previous heart attack, being female was a significant risk factor for cardiovascular events at 6 months – 2.35 times the risk for men.

This study shows that smokers experienced acute coronary event events earlier than non-smokers. Moreover, female smokers are more likely to have cardiovascular complications by 6 months than male smokers.  So here’s another reason for all smokers to quit, as soon as possible, especially women . . .