BEIJING, Feb.
14 (Xinhuanet) -- Secondhand smoking appears to increase levels of warning signs for
heart disease, fibrinogen and homocysteine.
The findings appeared in Tuesday's edition of Circulation: Journal of the
American Heart Association.
Study participants had their blood levels of
cotinine, an indicator of nicotine, measured. They also had their levels of
fibrinogen, homocysteine and C-reactive protein measured, all markers of
potential heart disease.
The researchers found that 18
percent of the participants had no detectable levels of cotinine. The rest had
either low or high levels. Eighteen percent of those with low levels of
cotinine and 56 percent of those with high levels said they lived with a smoker or
were exposed to tobacco smoke at work.
The researchers also found that the low- and
high-cotinine groups had significantly higher levels of fibrinogen and
homocysteine, compared with those who had no detectable levels of cotinine. The
increased fibrinogen and homocysteine levels were equivalent to about 30 percent
to 45 percent of levels seen in active smokers.
The findings suggest that secondhand smoking has a
significant effect on susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, even at
relatively low levels of exposure, said lead researcher Andrea Venn.
Heart experts think this study provides further
evidence of the dangers of secondhand smoking.
(Agencies)
