Smokers are three times more likely than non-smokers to suffer a heart attack, but alcohol could act as a deterrent, according to new research in Malta.

Active smoking is a well-known risk factor for a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. However, even those exposed to passive smoking have an increased risk.

The risk is stronger in a home setting, where even periods of less than an hour of passive exposure increase the risk.

On the other hand, moderate alcohol consumption protects against myocardial infarction. However, this beneficial effect depends on the frequency of drinking because daily binge drinkers have a risk five times higher when compared to those who drink moderate amounts.

This beneficial effect depends on the frequency of drinking

Meanwhile, diabetes is another strong risk factor of heart attacks among the Maltese. More than 14 per cent of the Maltese are diabetic, of whom nearly eight per cent fail to control their blood glucose levels.

These uncontrolled diabetics are three times more likely to suffer an attack, but diabetics with good glycaemic controls show no risk of heart attacks.

Despite free access to testing, 2.5 per cent of the population have undiagnosed diabetes. The risk of myocardial infarction among these people is almost four times higher than that of non-diabetics.

These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and the benefits of better diabetes control, as such measures can overcome the impact of diabetes on the risk of myocardial infarction.

This research was carried out through the Maltese Acute Myocardial Infarction Study, which is a collection of samples from some 1,000 Maltese.

The MAMI study is a collaboration between the University of Malta and the Department of Health, and is supported by national funding which is administered by the Malta Council for Science and Technology and several MGSS and STEPS scholarships.