parents smoking increases children risk of heart disease

In the recent study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, researchers were able to provide growing evidence that exposure to smoke has a lasting effect on the children.

Children exposed to smoke caused by their parents might be inhaling more than just passive smoke. These kids are highly exposed to developing heart disease when they grow as an adult. While those with non-smoking parents, have lower risks.

The researchers used similar participants with the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Participants have experienced smoke exposure from their parents during 1980 and 1983. More than 20 years after (2001 and 2007), the participants were called for carotid ultrasound.

In 2014, blood samples of the participants were tested for cotinine levels. The blood was frozen samples obtained in 1980. Cotinine is the compound most present in people exposed to passive smoking.

Results showed that 84% of children with neither parents smoking showed highest non-detectable cotinine levels. As for those with one parent smoking, 62% of the children have none-detectable cotinine levels. And lowest percentage (43%) was found among households with both parents smoking.

They were able to detect other issues like risk of developing carotid plaque as an adult greater with one or two parents smoking. This problem is 1.7 times higher to the children as compared to those who weren’t.

Some parents limit their children’s exposure, but still resulted to 1.6 times higher risk. And four times higher to those whose parents do not limit the kids’ exposure to their habit.

Costan Magnussen, Ph.D., the lead researcher from Menzies Institute for Medical Research in University of Tasmania, Australia, said that there was really no direct proof that the exposure to passive smoke came from the children’s parents. But one thing is for sure, their primary exposure occurs in their very home.

The advice researchers gave to parents is to stop their smoking habit. This could benefit their kids’ long-term cardiovascular health. Parents who are trying to quit smoking are already reducing their children’s risk and potential long-term cardiovascular problem.

Magnussen said that, “Not smoking at all is by far the safest option.”