Increased Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke with Smoking

According to the American Heart Association, diseases caused by smoking kill more than 440,000 people in the U.S. every year with most new smokers being teens and children. Smokers are at an increased risk for lung disease including lung cancer and emphysema. They also have increased risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease with one out of every 5 smoking-related deaths being caused by cardiovascular disease. Individuals who smoke cigarettes are 2 to 4 times more likely to get heart disease than non-smokers and cigarette smoking also doubles a person’s risk for stroke.

Affect of Smoking on Heart:

Not only does smoking cause an instant and long-term rise in blood pressure but also an instant increase in heart rate. It reduces blood flow from the ticker and also reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the body’s tissues. Smoking increases risk for blood clots and doubles the risk of stroke due to reduced blood flow to the brain. Smoking is also associated with depression and stress.

Cardiovascular Disease and Smoking:

Smoking is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease along with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes. The good thing is smoking is also the single most preventable cause of early death in the U.S.

Quitting Smoking:

Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, the risk for repeat heart attacks and death by cardiovascular disease. Smoking cessation is key in the management of many contributors to heart attack including atherosclerosis, blood clots and abnormal heart rhythms. You need to be mentally ready to be successful in your endeavor. In your endeavor to quit, you must overcome 2 obstacles- a physical addiction to nicotine and a habit. A few tips to help you quit using tobacco products:

1.     Choose a stress-free time to quit.

2.     Think about the reasons why you want to quit.

3.     Eat a balanced diet and get enough rest.

4.     Ask your friends, co-workers, family members to support and encourage you.

5.     Perform some exercise or activity each day to reduce stress and improve health.

6.     Join a smoking cessation program.

7.     Substitute your activities of smoking with newer healthier activities.

Nicotine replacement products can also be of help in breaking the smoking habit which continue to give smokers nicotine to meet their craving for nicotine. Moreover, the products do not contain the tars and toxic gases that cigarettes emit. It is advisable for pregnant or nursing women and individuals with other medical conditions to consult with their healthcare provider before using any nicotine replacement products like nicotine chewing gum, nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler or nose spray.

Secondhand Smoke Risks:

Secondhand smoke is the smoke exhaled by smokers including smoke from the burning end of a lit cigarette, cigar, or pipe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the death toll of nonsmokers from heart disease each year from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke is 34000.

Children and infants exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to have ear infections and asthma alongside an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Cardiovascular disease increases the risk for a cardiac arrest or heart attack. Contribute towards the safety of cardiac arrest victims in out-of-hospital emergencies by signing up for a CPR program today. At CPR Louisville in Kentucky, you can either sign up for a CPR course online or call on 502-804-6132 for registration. CPR courses for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers are offered.