Study : Parent’s Smoke Injures Children’s Blood Vessels

Parents who smoked in the presence of their children are causing their children a lot of harm without their realizing it. Secondhand smoke injures the blood vessels of their children, according to a paper presented at the American Heart Association.

Secondhand smoke has been shown to break down antioxidant defenses, leading to a weakening of the blood vessel’s capacity to dilate when circulation requires it. This accelerates endothelial dydfunction. The endothelium is the inner lining of the blood vessels consisting of a thin layer of cells that helps the blood vessels dilate and contract. If these cells are damaged, the blood vessels become “stiff” and less able to handle the body’s changing blood flow needs. Blood circulation is significantly impaired.

The study also noted that smoking by the mother had a significantly more pronounced effect. This is understandable since mothers usually have closer contact with their children and spend more time with them at home.