Can smoking cause a heart attack in a 40 year old male? (My father)?

Answer 1

I had my first heart attack at 42, female. I am a smoker.
That isn't what builds up all the plague and blocks the arteries.
It runs in the family a lot and the cholestrol and how they have eaten for all those years. There are many more reasons too.

Answer 2

Yes it can, and most probably is one of the leading contributing factors to arteriosclerosis.
Once again we have people displaying a complete ignorance of the mechanisms of this condition. Arteriosclerosis begins when something damages the endothelium, the lining of the arterial wall. This causes an inflammation response, with lipids and cholesterol being among the last things to appear in this process.
"The earliest changes which occurred, even in infants, were increased fibroblastic activity, deposits of mucopolysaccharide and degeneration of elastic tissue. These changes were not related to lipid deposition. Moderately advanced lesions were characterized by regeneration of elastic tissue, formation of collagen and lipid deposition. The far-advanced lesions showed hyalinization, abundant lipid deposition, calcification, intramural hemorrhage and thrombosis"
Histogenesis of Coronary Arteriosclerosis
Henry D Moon M.D. James F. RinehartM.D.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/6/4/481

One, or a number of the chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the endothelium, thus initiating the process of arteriosclerosis, which can lead to a heart attack.
Without this initial damage and consequent inflammation, lipids and cholesterol will not accumulate in the arteries

Other things that may damage the endothelium are oxidised LDL (emphasis on oxidised), high blood sugar and/or insulin levels and pollutants.

Answer 3

Absoultely, also look at the family history- my father is 72, heart attack at age 49, then heart bypass in his 60's then 2 yrs ago another heart scare and now he is on coumadin for the rest of his life at age 72.
His mother died of a heart attack age 54, his dad died heart attack at age 52, his brother heart attack death at age 34.
Dad quit smoking when he was in his 40's but the family history also puts a damper on the chances of escaping a heart attack or heart problems.
It will be difficult of a challenge but he needs to stop smoking and he may very well stop, this is what it took for my dad to stop, after his heart attack, he never went back to smoking.

Your dad also has to keep a low sodium profile with avoiding fast food, prepacked foods (canned, boxed, frozen, bagged)
Tell him check labels on the packaging prior to consuming.
Hidden sodium that can cause high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, people are not aware of the HIDDEN sodium they intake, only what they use from the salt shaker.

Will be praying for your dad, you and your family- I know this is scarey, but at least he had a warning and survived this, be thankful and ask dad for me, to please not take advantage of his second chance.
Hugs to you

Answer 4

It can certainly contribute to a heart attack...along with other factors such as weight, diet, cholesterol, lack of exercise, heritary factors.....if he has recently had a heart attack and smokes I'll bet he attempts to quit. Quitting smoking is VERY difficult...please be supportive,loving and realize that he is going through a hard time.

Answer 5

Definitely. It has been clearly demonstrated that smoking is a serious risk in many diseases, especially heart disease. I hope your father stays well and decides to quit smoking.

He can get help and information at the American Lung Association. It's: www.lungusa.org.