Smoking
Smoking is a tough habit to break, but... it is something that you need to do for YOU! Despite the well-documented dangers of smoking, more than 4.5 million Americans smoke. Each year about 400,000 Americans die an early death secondary to the effects of smoking. That is accountable for about one out of every 6 deaths! Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of early death and disability in America. Millions more people live with damaged lungs and hearts.
Cigarette smoking is associated with increased blood pressure, promotion of heart attacks, strokes, and increased levels of LDL and lower levels of HDL. It may also "speed up" the progression of blockages in the heart. Smoking is suspected to have caused approximately one-fourth of the deaths from coronary artery disease. Every little cigarette puts extra stress on the heart, the carbon monoxide, itself, has a direct effect on the heart and on the clotting of the blood. Smoking also increases "clumping" ability of blood cells, increasing the deposition of cholesterol in the arteries. Thus, smoking is also associated with the nation's third leading cause of death - STROKES.
Think about this: According to the American Heart Association, a person who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day and has a high serum cholesterol level, has about 10 times higher chance of having a heart attack than the person who has a normal blood cholesterol level and does not smoke.
How to quit is another story. Many people can quit "cold turkey"; others need help with medications, group / private therapy and counseling sessions. Some others may even seek hypnosis. Consider why you smoke first (comfort, stress, taste, etc). It has to be your decision to quit; not anyone else's. Talk with your doctor and devise a plan to help you quit!
When Smokers Quit
Within 20 Minutes of smoking that last cigarette
The body begins a series of changes that continue for years. (Source: American Cancer Society Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
20 Minutes After
Blood pressure returns to normal, pulse rate drops to normal, body temperature of hands and feet increase to normal.
8 Hours After
Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal, oxygen level in blood increase to normal.
24 Hours After
Chance of heart attack decreases.
48 Hours After
Nerve endings start regrowing, ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
2 weeks to 3 months After
Circulation improves, walking becomes easier, lung function increase up to 30%.
1-9 Months After
Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases, cilia regrow in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection. The body's overall energy increases.
1 Year After
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is reduced to half that of a smoker.
5 Years After
Lung cancer death rate for the average former smoker (1 pack per day) decreases by almost half, stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker (5-15 years after quitting). Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.
10 Years After
Lung cancer death rate similar to that of nonsmokers. Precancerous cells are replaced, risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 Years After
Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.
Back to Risk Factors.