By Edna Milay

Spousal smoking can put one at risk of suffering a stroke according to a study by  the Harvard School of Public Health. The study involved 16,000 stroke-free married adults aged 50 and older whose spouse smoked cigarettes (not cigars or pipe tobacco).

Based on their findings:
• If your spouse currently smokes  and you never did  – you have increased your risk of a first stroke by 42%.

• If your spouse currently smokes  and you kicked the habit – you have increased your risk of a first stroke by 72%. in comparison to those who’s spouses never smoked.

• If you never smoke and your spouse is a former smoker, you have nearly the same stroke risk as never-smokers married to never-smokers.