Quitting Smoking Almost Halves Heart Attack Risk, Study Shows

Research presented at the ESC Congress 2024 indicates that quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, for patients with stable coronary artery disease. The study, part of the international CLARIFY registry, included 32,378 patients and found that those who quit smoking at any point after their diagnosis reduced their risk of major events by almost 50%. In contrast, patients who only reduced their smoking habits saw minimal impact on their cardiovascular risk.

The study also highlighted that the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) increases by 8% for each additional year of continued smoking after a coronary artery disease diagnosis. The first year following diagnosis was identified as a crucial window for quitting smoking. Dr. Jules Mesnier of Hospital Bichat-Claude Bernard in Paris, the study's lead author, emphasized the importance of quitting smoking during this period and suggested that healthcare professionals should support patients in making this lifestyle change.