Researchers from the University of Tasmania found out that children who were exposed to secondhand smoke while growing up are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems when they grow up.
They studied 2,000 children from three to 18 years old residing in Finland and Australia. The participants underwent ultrasound scans to measure the thickness of their arteries. The researchers found out that children who were often exposed to secondhand smoke showed thicker arteries compared to healthier children.
Although the discrepancy is somewhat minimal, significant changes will follow for the next 20 years if the child continues to grow up in a smoke-filled household. Results also reflected that the thickening of blood vessel walls exposes the children to risks of stroke and fatal heart attacks.
"Our study shows that exposure to passive smoke in childhood causes a direct and irreversible damage to the structure of the arteries," study author and faculty member of University of Tasmania, Dr. Seana Gall told BBC.
The study also noted that dangerous health effects were observed if both of the parents are smokers; however, if only one parent is smoking, the danger is lesser but still existent.
Senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, Doireann Maddock explained that the dangerous effects that smoking can induce to our health are known already; however, the study finds a new link and shows how children are affected by smoking adults.
""Parents, or even those thinking about becoming parents, should quit smoking. This will not only restore their own health but also protect the health of their children into the future," she said to BBC.
This study was published in the March 5 issue of the European Heart Journal.
