Smoking and life expectancy

Smoking and life expectancy

It is well known that smoking is a risk factor for heart disease and disease of blood vessels. The chances of getting disease of blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood to your heart, brain and limbs is much higher if you are a smoker. In the long term, diseases due to reduced blood supply of these organs like heart attack and stroke reduces your longevity.

Studies have shown that life expectancy of a male smoker can be reduced by about 13.2 years compared to non smokers. This effect of smoking on reduced longevity is stronger in female smokers with a reduction in longevity by about 14.5 years.

Even second hand smoke, that is being near to a smoker while he or she is smoking, can increase the risk of heart attacks by 25% to 30%. Smokers have a 5 times higher chance to develop severe hypertension. But it is encouraging to note that smoking cessation reduces the risk, producing about 15% reduction in mortality over 14 years.

Source: Journal of American College of Cardiology, May 12 Issue, 2015