Smoking, a risk factor for stroke

Stroke is a common and serious pathology. It is defined as the sudden cessation of blood supply to one or more areas of the brain. Deprived of oxygen, these areas can be irreversibly damaged. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 17.7 million deaths are attributable to cardiovascular diseases, or 31% of total global mortality. Approximately 7.4 million deaths are due to coronary heart disease and 6.7 million are believed to be caused by stroke.[1].

Furthermore, studies have highlighted a correlation between tobacco consumption and the risk of stroke, in both men and women. Indeed, for a smoker, regular tobacco consumption multiplies the risk of stroke by 2, compared to a non-smoker, and even worse, by 4 in women who smoke and use the contraceptive pill. Thus, tobacco would be responsible for one stroke in four.[2].

Cigarette smoke contains nearly 7,000 chemicals[3], many of which can have a harmful impact on the cardiovascular system. The main culprit being carbon monoxide, which is formed when a cigarette burns and is inhaled by the smoker.

In the smoker's body, carbon monoxide enters the blood and takes the place of oxygen on the red blood cells. To compensate for this lack, the body increases its heart rate and blood pressure, both risk factors for strokes. In addition, nicotine also contributes to this phenomenon.[4] by increasing the risk on the inner wall of the arteries which thicken and thus contribute to obstructing blood circulation. Similarly, by acting on the vasomotion of the blood vessels, the toxic substances in tobacco products reduce blood flow and encourage the body to produce more red blood cells to compensate for the lack of oxygen reaching the brain. Regardless of age, quantity or number of years of smoking, quitting smoking reduces or even eliminates these risks.

©Tobacco Free Generation