In smokers, the need for vascular stenting appears much earlier
Last reviewed: 12.03.2022
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The need for revascularization surgery in smokers may appear up to 10 years earlier than in non-smokers. This information was voiced by the staff of the Medical College at Wayne University, as well as representatives of the Saint John Hospital, Henry Ford and Sinai Grace Hospitals, and the Medical Clinic at the University of Michigan.
Well-known factors in the development of heart failure and myocardial ischemia include smoking, diabetes mellitus, elevated lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides) or low HDL levels, as well as hypertension and obesity. Many patients with these pathologies may need coronary angioplasty and stenting at some point in their lives . The researchers analyzed the demographics and prevalence of risks in patients with coronary artery disease , and also assessed the need for surgery.
Almost 70 thousand men and more than 38 thousand women took part in the study, among them in 95% of cases there was at least one risk factor for developing cardiac pathology (about half of the participants had three or more risk factors). It turned out that smokers were referred for angioplasty and coronary stenting approximately 10 years earlier than non-smokers. When comparing participants with a risk factor such as obesity, the difference was approximately 4 years. In addition, the researchers found that men had to undergo surgery earlier than women.
Smoking is a factor that can be controlled by the patient himself. He can always give up addiction, thereby prolonging a favorable period for his health, and postponing the moment of the debut of coronary pathology, along with the need for surgical intervention. Some patients tend to think that 2-3 cigarettes a day will not cause significant harm to health, but they are mistaken. Any type of smoking, even passive inhalation of tobacco smoke, adversely affects the heart and blood vessels. It stimulates an increase in blood pressure, has a cardiotoxic effect, accelerates the growth of atherosclerotic changes, and increases the risk of myocardial ischemia.
It is known that the voiced risk factors significantly increase the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease and atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries. If there is a threat to the life of the patient, which, as a rule, appears with a myocardial infarction or pre-infarction conditions, doctors prescribe an emergency stenting operation. Elective surgery is indicated when the volume of blood flow in the basin of the affected arterial trunk is reduced, provided that the reserve of drug therapy is exhausted and the patient's quality of life deteriorates.
Full details of the study are available on the Plos One page.