Menu
09/06/2010
Heart Attacks Reduced By Smoking Ban
A smoke-free environment is leading to a fall in the number of heart attacks.
A new study on the short term impact of smoke-free legislation in England, using a retrospective analysis of hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (heart attacks) has shown there were 1,200 fewer emergency heart attack hospital admissions during the 12 month period after the introduction of smoke-free laws in England.
That's according to a study published today on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
The research, led by Dr Anna Gilmore from the University of Bath, showed that the introduction of a law where all enclosed workplaces and public places in England became smoke-free was followed by a 2.4% reduction in heart attack admissions and this has important public health benefits given the high rates of heart disease globally.
It has long been established that exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and smoke-free laws have been introduced in different countries, states and cities to tackle this issue.
In order to investigate the impact of smoke-free laws in England, which were introduced on 1 July 2007, the authors collected data on emergency hospital admissions for patients aged 18 or older from July 2002 to September 2008.
They subsequently compared the records for the five years before the introduction of smoke-free laws to the period after legislation came into force.
Previous research looking at the effects of smoke-free legislation have had varying results with the largest reductions in heart attack admissions being reported in smaller US studies.
Dr Gilmore's research has a number of advantages to previous studies - firstly the size (with a population of 49 million, England is the largest jurisdiction to go smoke-free) and secondly, the authors adjusted the data to take into account underlying trends in admissions and variations in other factors such as seasonal temperature and population size.
The authors also speculated that a further reason for a smaller reduction in heart admissions in their study is because smoke-free legislation in England was introduced at a time when many public places and workplaces were already smoke-free.
Dr Michelle Sims, first author of the paper, explained that "a 2.4% reduction may sound small, but given we were looking at the whole of England it actually means the prevention of 1,200 emergency admissions during the first year of the smoke-free law".
Dr Gilmore concluded that smoke-free public places might result in reductions in hospital admissions for heart attacks, even in countries with pre-existing smoking restrictions.
She added that given the high rate of heart attacks, "even the relatively small reduction seen in England has important public health benefits".
(GK)
A new study on the short term impact of smoke-free legislation in England, using a retrospective analysis of hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (heart attacks) has shown there were 1,200 fewer emergency heart attack hospital admissions during the 12 month period after the introduction of smoke-free laws in England.
That's according to a study published today on the British Medical Journal's website, bmj.com.
The research, led by Dr Anna Gilmore from the University of Bath, showed that the introduction of a law where all enclosed workplaces and public places in England became smoke-free was followed by a 2.4% reduction in heart attack admissions and this has important public health benefits given the high rates of heart disease globally.
It has long been established that exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and smoke-free laws have been introduced in different countries, states and cities to tackle this issue.
In order to investigate the impact of smoke-free laws in England, which were introduced on 1 July 2007, the authors collected data on emergency hospital admissions for patients aged 18 or older from July 2002 to September 2008.
They subsequently compared the records for the five years before the introduction of smoke-free laws to the period after legislation came into force.
Previous research looking at the effects of smoke-free legislation have had varying results with the largest reductions in heart attack admissions being reported in smaller US studies.
Dr Gilmore's research has a number of advantages to previous studies - firstly the size (with a population of 49 million, England is the largest jurisdiction to go smoke-free) and secondly, the authors adjusted the data to take into account underlying trends in admissions and variations in other factors such as seasonal temperature and population size.
The authors also speculated that a further reason for a smaller reduction in heart admissions in their study is because smoke-free legislation in England was introduced at a time when many public places and workplaces were already smoke-free.
Dr Michelle Sims, first author of the paper, explained that "a 2.4% reduction may sound small, but given we were looking at the whole of England it actually means the prevention of 1,200 emergency admissions during the first year of the smoke-free law".
Dr Gilmore concluded that smoke-free public places might result in reductions in hospital admissions for heart attacks, even in countries with pre-existing smoking restrictions.
She added that given the high rate of heart attacks, "even the relatively small reduction seen in England has important public health benefits".
(GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2015
Shorter People More At Risk Of Heart Disease
Shorter people are more at risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study led by Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology and Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences. The research discovered that every 2.5 inches of change in height affects the risk of coronary heart disease by 13.5%.
Shorter People More At Risk Of Heart Disease
Shorter people are more at risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study led by Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology and Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences. The research discovered that every 2.5 inches of change in height affects the risk of coronary heart disease by 13.5%.
17 October 2008
Aspirin 'Doesn't Prevent Heart Attacks'
Despite GPs prescribing the drugs to many thousands of their patients by way of prevention, new research suggests that aspirin does not after all prevent heart attacks.
Aspirin 'Doesn't Prevent Heart Attacks'
Despite GPs prescribing the drugs to many thousands of their patients by way of prevention, new research suggests that aspirin does not after all prevent heart attacks.
02 April 2012
Heart Failure's Effects Can Be Reversed With Rest
Structural changes in heart muscle cells after heart failure can be reversed by allowing the heart to rest, according to research at Imperial College London. Findings from a study in rats published today in the European Journal of Heart Failure show that the condition's effects on heart muscle cells are not permanent, as has generally been thought.
Heart Failure's Effects Can Be Reversed With Rest
Structural changes in heart muscle cells after heart failure can be reversed by allowing the heart to rest, according to research at Imperial College London. Findings from a study in rats published today in the European Journal of Heart Failure show that the condition's effects on heart muscle cells are not permanent, as has generally been thought.
20 April 2010
97% Unaware Of 'Muffin Top' Health Risks
Most people have no idea that rolls of fat around their waistline are putting them at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, a poll reveals. While being overweight or obese in general poses a health hazard, concentrated fat deposits around the midriff – commonly nicknamed spare tyres or muffin tops – are particularly dangerous.
97% Unaware Of 'Muffin Top' Health Risks
Most people have no idea that rolls of fat around their waistline are putting them at increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, a poll reveals. While being overweight or obese in general poses a health hazard, concentrated fat deposits around the midriff – commonly nicknamed spare tyres or muffin tops – are particularly dangerous.
01 October 2007
Age Limit On Tobacco Raised To 18
From today Monday October 1 the minimum age for buying tobacco will increase from 16 to 18. The latest government move is a further attempt to cut smoking rates in the UK, and prevent young people buying tobacco. Retailers in England and Wales will be obliged not to sell tobacco products to those under the age of 18.
Age Limit On Tobacco Raised To 18
From today Monday October 1 the minimum age for buying tobacco will increase from 16 to 18. The latest government move is a further attempt to cut smoking rates in the UK, and prevent young people buying tobacco. Retailers in England and Wales will be obliged not to sell tobacco products to those under the age of 18.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
