Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Early Smoking and Gender Differences in Heart Disease
Two big studies found important things about heart health.
The first study in Korea showed that people who start smoking before they turn 20 have a much higher chance of having a stroke, heart attack, or dying early.
This is because young bodies are more vulnerable to the bad effects of smoking.
The second study, called the CARDIA study, found that men start getting heart disease about seven years earlier than women.
This difference starts around age 35.
The researchers think that doctors should pay more attention to young men's heart health to help prevent these problems.
Both studies show that taking care of your health early can make a big difference.
Starting smoking before age 20 increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and all-cause mortality.
Men develop coronary heart disease about seven years earlier than women, with differences emerging by the mid-30s.
The risk gap for heart disease between men and women opens around age 35 and persists through midlife.
Preventive care for young men could be important for improving heart health and lowering disease risk.
Stroke rates were similar between the sexes, while differences in heart failure emerged later in life.
- Who
- Adults in Korea and participants in the CARDIA study
- What
- Higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and all-cause mortality from early smoking; gender differences in heart disease risk
- When
- Over approximately nine years for the Korean study, 1980s to 2020 for the CARDIA study
- Where
- Korea and the United States (CARDIA study)
- Why
- Starting smoking before age 20 increases long-term cardiovascular risk; biological and social factors contribute to gender differences in heart disease
- Study Source
- Scientific Reports, Journal of The American Heart Association
- Sample Size
- 9 million adults in Korea, 5,100 adults in the CARDIA study
- Key Risk Factor
- Starting smoking before age 20, gender differences in heart disease
- Stroke Risk Increase
- 78% higher for early smokers
- Heart Attack Risk
- Higher for early smokers and men
- All-Cause Mortality
- Increased for early smokers
- Study Duration
- Approximately nine years for the Korean study, 1980s to 2020 for the CARDIA study
- Gender Risk Difference
- Men develop coronary heart disease about seven years earlier than women
