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The Effect of Smoking Cessation after Myocardial Infarction.

A study of twelve previous trials involving data on 5878 patients suggests that smoking cessation after heart attack will result in a significantly lower rate of death. 

In a report published in the April 10, 2000 Archives of Internal Medicine, investigators at the McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario performed an analysis of 12 studies that took place between 1949 and 1988 in 6 countries. These studies were analyzed statistically and compared patients who quit vs. continued smoking after having a heart attack.

All the studies demonstrated a decrease in mortality in patients who quit smoking. The benefit was consistent, regardless of sex, race or geographical area.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and many of these deaths occur in patients with heart disease. The researchers note that smokers with ischemic heart disease are at particular risk for increased mortality due to the negative effects of tobacco on blood flow to the heart and to the increased risk of thrombosis or clotting.

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