
Global survey reveals widespread ignorance of smoking's cardiovascular risks
A study in BMJ Open shows that while most smokers know cigarettes cause lung cancer, many remain unaware of the significant risks of heart disease and stroke. Dr. Leana Wen explains that smoking damages blood vessels and promotes plaque buildup, causing 2.6 million global deaths in 2019. Awareness of secondhand smoke dangers is even lower, with fewer than half in several high-income nations knowing it causes heart disease. Experts emphasize that quitting is the only effective way to reduce risk, as even low levels of smoking substantially increase cardiovascular harm.



