The Great American Smokeout Challenge: Why Your Cardiologists Wants You To Quit

Most people are familiar with the negative effects that smoking has on your lungs and the increase in cancer-related diseases, but oftentimes are unaware of the damage that smoking does to your cardiovascular health.

Smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco cause toxic chemicals to enter your lungs and travel throughout your body. All smoking, no matter how long you’ve done it, or how much in quantity you’ve smoked, affects your heart negatively and causes damage. But the good news is, no matter how long or how much you’ve smoked, quitting will benefit you immensely. It’s never too late to stop smoking.

Smoking Correlates to the Following Heart and Vascular Issues:

• Causes inflammation in the arteries

• Increases heart rate

• Causes sticky plaque buildup in your arteries (both coronary & peripheral)

• Raises LDL (bad cholesterol)

• Lowers HDL (good cholesterol)

• Blood vessel walls become stiff and damaged

• Creates abnormal heart rhythms

• Increases blood pressure

• Creates undue stress on your heart

• Causes blood to thicken

• Lowers oxygen levels in the blood

The chemicals in the smoke are what causes atherosclerosis (arterial plaque). These chemicals negatively affect cholesterol levels and fibrogen levels, which is a blood-clotting agent. These disturbances can lead to stroke, aortic aneurysms, peripheral vascular disease, heart attack, and abdominal aortic aneurysms just to name a few.

Realistic advice to help you quit smoking:

1. Take the ‘Great American Smokeout Challenge’ this month (November 18th)

2. Plan ahead. Talk to your doctor now about smoking cessation programs, treatment options, and medications

3. Get rid of all tobacco & lighters

4. Clean your home and car if they smell like smoke or have remnants of nicotine

5. Let your family and friends know that you're quitting

6. Find a new hobby to stay busy

7. Avoid the same old routine that allowed you the convenience of smoking

8. Keep track of the money you save, write it down every day and make a tally

9. At the end of each week that you continue to not smoke, treat yourself to something you like.

10. Don’t give up! It’s not easy, but it’s worth it to quit.

By quitting smoking you reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

Statistics According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

• Within 20 minutes of quitting, your heart rate will decrease

• Within 12 hours of quitting, the carbon monoxide levels in your blood will decrease to normal

• Within 3 months of quitting, your risk of a heart attack decreases, and your lungs will begin to work better

• After 1 year, your added risk of coronary artery disease is half that of someone who smokes

• After 5 years, your risk of stroke is the same as that of a nonsmoker

• After 10 years, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of someone who smokes

• After 15 years, your risk of coronary artery disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker

At the Cardiac Care Group in Cape Coral, they provide a wide range of services that focus on the prevention, prompt diagnosis, and state-of-the-art treatment of cardiovascular disease. They pride themselves on being an exceptional practice where patients come first. All of their physicians and medical staff are highly trained professionals, maintaining the highest level of accreditation in cardiology to address the special needs of those they are privileged to serve.

If you or someone you know needs to have a cardiology consultation, are concerned about your risk factors, or are experiencing symptoms of chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or other related issues, please contact them at (239) 574-8463.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.