Smoking and Heart Disease

You probably know that cigarette smoking causes breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know it also makes you more likely to have a heart attack?

Every cigarette you smoke makes you more likely to get heart disease. Roughly 1 out of 5 deaths from heart disease is directly related to smoking.

People who smoke are two to four times more likely to get heart disease. The risk is even greater for women who smoke and also take birth control pills.

Cigarette smoke is also bad for the people around you. Secondhand smoke can cause heart disease and lung cancer.

 

           

 

How Does Smoking Cause Heart Disease?

The nicotine in smoke:

• Reduces how much oxygen your heart gets
• Raises your blood pressure
• Speeds up your heart rate
• Makes blood clots more likely, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes
• Harms the insides of your blood vessels, including those in your heart

 

How Does Quitting Smoking Help?

Soon after you stop, your odds of getting heart disease or high blood pressure will drop. After 1 to 2 years of not smoking, you'll be much less likely to get heart disease.

Of course, kicking the habit also makes you less likely to get lung cancer and many other types of cancer, emphysema, and many other serious conditions.

The bottom line: Odds are you'll live longer, and you'll feel better.

 

Article edited from :www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation

Prepared by : SN Zarina Johari

Date of Input: 28/08/2019 | Updated: 28/08/2019 | nur_hazalina