HF Hospitalization Is Common Among Black Smokers

Black smokers have a higher risk for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, and heart failure (HF) hospitalization than never smokers, according to results of a new study.

For their study, the researchers assessed black adults with no history of HF or coronary heart disease who were participating in the Jackson Heart Study. Participants were categorized as never smokers (n = 2884), current smokers (n = 503), and former smokers (n = 742).

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Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the relationship between cigarette smoking and LV structure and function in 1092 participants.

The link between cigarette smoking and brain natriuretic peptide levels was assessed in 3325 participants, and incident HF hospitalization was assessed in 3633 participants with complete data.

Analysis showed that current smokers had a higher mean LV mass index and lower mean LV circumferential strain than never smokers. Smoking status, intensity, and burden were associated with higher mean brain natriuretic peptide levels.

After a median 8-year follow-up, 147 incident HF hospitalizations had been reported.

Risk factors for HF hospitalization among current smokers vs never smokers included current smoking, smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day, and having a 15 or more pack-year history.

“In blacks, cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for LV hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, and incident HF hospitalization even after adjusting for effects on coronary heart disease,” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Kamimura D, Cain LR, Mentz RJ, et al. Cigarette smoking and incident heart failure: insights from the Jackson Heart Study [published online April 16, 2018]. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031912.

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