Yes. Exposure to secondhand smoke is a risk factor for heart attacks. Secondhand smoke includes smoke from burning cigarettes, pipes, or the smoke exhaled by tobacco users.
Any amount of secondhand smoke is harmful to the heart and blood vessels. Inhaling secondhand smoke can make platelets (the blood cells responsible for clotting) stickier, making blood more likely to clot. If a clot blocks blood flow, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Secondhand smoke can cause arteries to fail to dilate. This condition is called endothelial dysfunction. Many types of cardiovascular diseases are associated with this condition.
Chemicals in secondhand smoke can also irritate the lining of arteries, causing them to swell (inflammation) and harden. This inflammation can narrow the arteries, increasing the risk of heart-related chest pain (angina) and heart attacks.
A large number of studies have found that the incidence of heart disease decreased in areas where smoking bans were implemented.
To avoid inhaling secondhand smoke, try to:
- Choose smoke-free places, such as smoke-free restaurants or smoke-free shopping centers.
- Avoid places where people are smoking, even if it is an open space.
- Ask smokers in your home or those you frequently come into contact with to smoke outside.
- Encourage those you frequently come into contact with to quit smoking.
If you have heart disease or a history of heart attacks, it is especially important to avoid inhaling secondhand smoke.
If you smoke, quitting is the best way to reduce the risk of heart attacks. If you need help quitting, talk to your healthcare provider about methods to quit smoking.