smoking brain bleed
Image Source: Al Jazeera

A new study reveals that even casual smoking can elevate the risk of a fatal stroke— find out all the other myths it has busted about smoking!

What Breakthrough Has Been Made?

The new research conducted has shown that if you thought you were better off by not smoking a pack a day, you’ve got another think coming. The risk of a potentially fatal stroke is elevated by you just smoking occasionally as well. 

The primary subject of the data was the examination of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). SAH is a type of brain bleed that can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.

The Process and The Findings

Researchers from the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital gathered data to prove their hypothesis. They collected data from more than 16,000 same-sex twin pairs to determine an underlying genetic cause that could explain SAH.

The cause of concern for these “casual smokers” comes from what the researchers found. It was discovered that smokers — even the occasional ones — were at an increased risk for experiencing SAH. Among twin pairs where one was a smoker and one a nonsmoker, it was found that the smoker was more likely to experience SAH.

smoking brain bleed
Image Source: The Guardian

Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said, “Smoking causes a decrease in distensibility in arteries, which may account for this phenomenon.”

Why “Light Smoking” Is Still Smoking

Smokers are a rare breed of humanity. They acknowledge entirely that smoking is unhealthy, toxic, and carries a higher mortality rate. They understand that inevitably their lungs will give out and expose them to a host of pains. However, they carry on.

The problem also lies in those that are misinformed. Some may think doing it once in a while gives them the best of both worlds: they get to have a good smoke without putting their health at risk. This, too, however, is far from the truth. 

Nicole Avena-Blanchard, Ph.D., an assistant professor of neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, pointed out some evidence. In a 2016 study from the National Cancer Institute, it was found that even smokers who had less than one cigarette per day had a 64 percent higher risk for earlier death than nonsmokers.

Exhaling Life

The youth of today is going to suffer the most because of this misinformation surround “light smoking.” There is no safe level of smoking in terms of health. Nowadays, it is a trend to light one and passes it on. Or better yet, for boys, it is treated as a rite of passage. 

smoking brain bleed
Image Source: Fedhealth

Educate those around you for their excellent. If you’re a chronic smoker, give this a read to begin your journey of quitting today!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.