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Smoking and the Risk of Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke

Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). As a result, the heart works harder, and blood pressure may increase. Cigarette smoking increases your risk for transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke.

Heavy smokers are at greater risk for TIA and stroke. Daily cigarette smoking can increase the risk of stroke by 2½ times.¹

Recommended Related to Stroke

Arm and Hand Exercises for Stroke Rehab

Regaining use of your arm after a stroke may feel like a daunting task. Among other things, your brain must relearn skills it lost when it was damaged by the stroke. Recent research, though, shows that the brain is amazingly resilient. It is capable of adapting and increasing activity after a stroke. This means it is possible to regain more use of the arm than was previously thought. Recovering use of your arm does bring special challenges, though -- different than those experienced with the leg,...

Read the Arm and Hand Exercises for Stroke Rehab article > >

The risk of stroke and TIA decreases for those who quit smoking. If you smoke less than one pack a day when you quit, within 5 years your risk will be the same as though you had never smoked.¹

Citations

Kasner SE, Moss HE (2008). Cerebrovascular disorders. In EG Nabel ed., ACP Medicine, section 11, chap. 4. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Last Revised	November 11, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: November 11, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.