The latest research findings have uncovered that continuous exposure to indoor secondhand smoke is linked with a higher risk of heart arrhythmias. This is because exposure to secondhand smoke causes changes to the heart’s electrical activity.
The study was conducted in mice, and researchers uncovered that secondhand smoke exposure alters cells that regulate how the heart beats.
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Lead author of the study Crystal Ripplinger explained, “As tobacco use continues to decrease, research on its effects among nonusers also is declining. Smoking is still a leading cause of preventable illness in the U.S., and bystanders are still exposed to smoking in cars, homes, casinos and when they travel to places with fewer tobacco-smoke protections. It’s important to continually define the health effects of those unintended exposures.”
This is the first study to explore cellular changes in the heart as a result of secondhand smoke exposure.
Ripplinger added, “The link between second-hand tobacco smoke and CAD is well established. However, there is little-to-no research on how it influences cellular changes associated with arrhythmia, which may affect individuals with or without CAD.”
Mice were exposed to secondhand smoke in a specially designed chamber. Smoke levels were set to mimic those that humans would be exposed to in public areas with smoker’s present.
The mice received exposure to smoke for four, eight, and 12 weeks for six hours a day, five days a week. The mice hearts were examined using high-speed imaging and electrocardiograms to detect any changes in electrical activity. To test for arrhythmias, hearts were paced at fast heart rates and calcium levels were measured, which is important for heart regulation of contractions and could contribute to abnormal rhythms. The results of the mice exposed to secondhand smoke were compared to the mice who were exposed to filtered air.
Mice hearts exposed to secondhand smoke could not tolerate fast heart rates, with the least amount of tolerance occurring at the 12th week of exposure. Furthermore, calcium did not respond quickly enough, which led to beat-to-beat instability.
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Ripplinger concluded, “The high incidence of cardiac alternans is particularly concerning because we know that patients with this condition are at significantly higher risk for arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Better understanding of this underlying pathology and determining whether these changes are reversible if exposure stops are important areas for future study.”
It is already well known that smoking is harmful to overall health. But even if you aren’t a smoker, your heart health is still at risk as a result of secondhand smoke exposure.
Also read: What Are the Different Types of Arrhythmias?
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
