Childhood and adult exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and cardiac structure and function: results from Echo-SOL.

Objective: To describe the relationship of household secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and cardiac structure and function.

Methods: Participants (n=1069; 68 % female; age 45-74 years) without history of tobacco use, coronary artery disease or severe valvular disease were included. Past childhood (starting at age <13 years), adolescent/adult and current exposure to household SHS was assessed.