Stroke risk if your partner smokes

Stroke risk from smoking husband wife or partner

If you live with a smoker your risk of a stroke is increased greatly, according to new research

Why is smoking in the news?

Living with a smoker ups your risk of suffering from a stroke by 42%, say researchers from Harvard. This figure is even higher if you used to smoke and have since given up - a whopping increased risk of 72%.

How many people are affected by strokes?

Each year, around 110,000 people in the UK suffer from a first or repeat stroke.

Are there any other risks?

Second-hand smoke is known to be a risk factor for heart disease and having a heart attack. This is the first time that a link to strokes has been shown.

How does smoke affect the body?

Smoking clogs up the arteries which makes blood more likely to clot. This, in turn, can cut off oxygen to the brain leading to a stroke.

Being a smoker doubles your risk of having a stroke and around 1 in 10 deaths from strokes are thought to be down to smoking.

How many people does this affect?

It's difficult to say, but a goodtoknow poll earlier this year showed that more than 40% of you live with someone who smokes - either your partner, children or another family member.

And despite a significant number of people stopping smoking as a result of the introduction of the smoking ban, there are still around 10m smokers in the UK.

What do the experts say?

Joe Korner from the Stroke Association said: 'We urge people to consider the effects that smoking has on their health and others around them and do all they can to reduce their risk of stroke.'

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