Stroke Risk Same For Men and Women Smokers: Study

It has long been known that smoking is a major cause for strokes and actually doubles its risk.  Focusing on this association, a new study highlights that cigarette smoking is equally risky for both the genders.

The new study documented in the journal Stroke reveals that smoking cigarettes causes similar stroke risks for both men and women. But, women are at a higher risk of a more deadly and uncommon type of stroke.

Currently in the United States, stroke is a leading cause of death with more than 800,000 people dying each year due to strokes and cardiovascular diseases.  On an average, one American dies from stroke every four minutes. Also known as brain attack, stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked by a clot or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. This can be fatal in some cases and can cause serious long term disability. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

On comparing smokers to non smokers, the study researchers found that smoking elevates the risk of any type of stroke by 60-80 percent in both men and women.

To proceed with the finding, the researchers at University of Queensland compared data of more than 80 international studies that were published between 1966-2013.

On analyzing the data, researchers saw that smoking was associated with more than 50 percent greater risk of ischemic stroke that is caused when a blood clot blocks the supply of blood to the brain. In both men and women it is the most common stroke.

On the other hand, in hemorrhagic stroke that occurs due to a brain bleed and is one of the most deadly strokes, both men and women smokers are at a 17 percent higher risk. Compared to men who smoke, women smokers are at a ten percent higher risk. This risk was higher for women in western countries than Asian countries.

The researchers suggest that hormones might be one of the reasons for hemorrhagic strokes in women and the impact of nicotine on blood fats. Compared to men, in women smokers fats, cholesterol and triglycerides increase, elevating the risk for coronary heart disease.

 Both men and women can reduce the risk of smoke by quitting smoking.

"Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for stroke for both men and women, but fortunately, quitting smoking is a highly effective way to lower your stroke risk," said Rachel Huxley, lead author of the study and professor, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. "Tobacco control policies should be a mainstay of primary stroke prevention programs."