As will be discussed in the following, there is strong evidence to suggest a correlation between passive smoking and the development of CVD in the non-smoking relatives of smokers. However, the exact statistics of this correlation differ from study to study. Some studies suggest a substantial correlation and propose that passive smoking is a likely causal factor of CVD in the non-smoking relatives of smokers (He, Lam, Li, Li, Du, Jia, Huang & Zheng, 1994). Other studies find that there is a minimal correlation and that there is no statistical significance to the hypothesis that passive smoking leads to increased risk of CVD in the non-smoking relatives of smokers (Iso, Shimamoto, Sato, Koike, Iida & Komachi, 1996).

It has been suggested that increased risk of CVD due to passive smoking is the

The results of the study conducted by He et al were also shown to indicate a slight increase in risk of CVD due to exposure to the tobacco smoke of relatives. However, after the final results had been adjusted to account for other variables that may have had an effect on the development of CVD, the study concluded that the increase in risk was not statistically significant. This conclusion was attributed to different factors in the study methodology.

It was revealed in a study conducted by Steenland et al that there is a modest increase in the risk of CVD due to exposure to passive smoking in the non-smoking relatives of smokers. The authors claim, that the large sample used in this study contributed to what should be a very precise result. Also, the use of spousal reporting as well as self-reporting increased the reliability of the demographic data. However, Steenland et al (1996) state that the results of their study may have been influenced by confounding of factors and by not including ex-smokers as having exposed their spouse to passive smoking. By not including former smokers as having exposed their spouse to passive smoking, a more concentrated, increased risk was concluded. Confounding of factors has a positive bias affect on the statistics of individuals aged under 65 years. This is because these younger persons have less account taken for other CVD risk factors, and thus an increased risk from passive smoki!

result of many separate components and effects of smoke (Glanz & Parmley, 1995). For example, passive smoking limits the amount of oxygen that the blood delivers to the heart (Glanz & Parmley, 1995:1048). This decreases the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). A reduction in ATP limits the ability of an individual to perform exercise and physical activity. Also, passive smoking results in increased activity of platelets (Glanz & Parmley, 1995:1048). Platelets are important for clotting (the formation of a thrombus) and involved in the formation of atheroscleritic plaque (Glanz & Parmley, 1995:1048). When the inhalation of smoke occurs, the platelets are stimulated to a high level and the blood “thickened”, which lends to a greater degree of clotting and a greater chance of the formation of a thrombus (Glanz & parmley, 1995:1048). Also, a high level of platelet activity leads to increas!

The study conducted by Iso et al reveals that risk of CVD is increased with exposure to passive smoke. However, the study concludes that any rise in risk of CVD due to passive smoking in the home is not statistically significant. While the authors acknowledge that passive smoking does increase the risk of CVD, many variables in the study methodology contribute to the insignificant result. These limitations include the cultural and structural norms of the area in which the study was conducted. The study took place in a rural town in Japan. It was aimed at measuring the plasma fibrinogen levels (a direct risk factor for CVD) among Japanese women. Some women were exposed to passive smoking and some women were not. Also the study concentrated in finding out the levels of plasma fibrinogen in women exposed to passive smoking at work and women exposed at home. It was found that women exposed in the home (the relevant topic in this assignment) did not have statistically signi!

It is largely agreed that much more research is required to improve the kno

Some topics in this essay:
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