Parker Waichman LLP

Women’s Risk of Peripheral Artery Disease Heightened by Second-Hand Smoke Exposure

Exposure to second-hand smoke puts women at a significantly higher risk to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD).  According to a Chinese study published in the journal “Circulation”, women who were exposed to second-hand smoke either at home or in the workplace had a 67 percent increased risk of PAD compared to those who had no […]

Exposure to <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/toxic_substances">second-hand smoke puts women at a significantly higher risk to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD).  According to a Chinese study published in the journal “Circulation”, women who were exposed to second-hand smoke either at home or in the workplace had a 67 percent increased risk of PAD compared to those who had no exposure.

PAD is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs.  People who develop PAD don’t receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking.  PAD can reduce blood flow to the heart and brain, as well as the legs.

Tobacco use has long been tied to the development of PAD, but this study, conducted by researchers at the Chinese PLA General Hospital in Beijing, is the first  to show the adverse effects of secondhand smoke on PAD in women.  For the study, secondhand smoke exposure was defined as exposure to tobacco smoke for at least 15 minutes daily for more than one day every week for at least two years during the past 10 years.

The women covered by the study were 60 years and older and had never smoked. Among the women, 477 (39.5 percent) were exposed to secondhand smoke — 414 (86.8 percent) at home and 63 (13.2 percent) in the workplace.  Researchers used two different measures to analyze the effects of passive smoking on PAD:

  • Signs of intermittent claudication. This is the clinical diagnosis given for muscle pain (ache, cramp, numbness or sense of fatigue), classically in the calf muscle, which occurs during exercise and is relieved by a short period of rest.
  • Ankle-brachial index. This is a test that measures the ratio of systolic blood pressure at the ankle and at the arm, then calculates the index for each leg.

In addition to increasing PAD risk by 67 percent, the study found that exposure to secondhand smoke increased the risk of coronary heart disease by 69 percent and the risk of ischemic stroke by 56 percent. Overall, there were 271 cases of PAD, 431 cases of coronary disease, and 172 cases of stroke, 109 of which were ischemic stroke.

“This study broadens the finding about the detrimental health effects of passive smoking on heart disease and stroke,” senior author Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said in a news release issued by the American Heart Association.

While the study focused on women, Hu said it’s likely that secondhand smoke exposure affects men in the same way.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
My name is Yolanda. When I sat down with them they treated me like family. I had Alex and Cathy. As long as I had them I still don't know Cathy's last name. They showed compassion and understanding. The young ladies in the front always had a smile. How I knew I had the right Law Firm is whenever I came to the office they knew my name. That meant EVERYTHING to me. Thank you for your kindness and love.
big lan
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Great company. If you really want to win your case - they will do it for you. Very professional.
Andre Kras
8 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Working with Julia & Joanne at Parker & Waichman. Julia and Joanne were very helpful throughout the process and took good care of me. All of my questions were always answered and they always communicated with me, phone calls were always returned right away if they could not answer. I was recommended by my friend and would definitely recommend them. Thank you for all of your help Julia, Joanne and all of the Parker Waichman family.
Tusha Ramsaroop
5 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038