Smoking and heart disease

Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lungcancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of heart disease for men and women?

Almost 20% of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarette smoking, says the British Heart Foundation. That's because smoking is a major cause of coronary artery disease.

The risk of heart disease and heart attack greatly increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke. Smokers continue to increase their risk of a heart attack the longer they smoke. People who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day are twice as likely to have a heart attack as non-smokers. Women who smoke and also take contraceptive pills increase several times their risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

Cigarette smoke not only affects smokers. When you smoke, the people around you are also at risk of developing health problems, especially children. Passive smoke (also called second-hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke) affects people who are frequently around smokers. Passive smoking can cause chronic respiratory conditions, cancer and heart disease. It is estimated that over 10,000 die each year in the UK from passive smoking.

How does smoking increase heart disease risk?

Cigarette smoke causes heart disease by:

• Reducing oxygen to the heart.
• Increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
• Increasing blood clotting.
• Damaging cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels causing narrowing of the arteries.

How can stopping smoking be helpful?

Now that you know how smoking can be harmful to your health and the health of those around you, here are some ways in which stopping can be helpful. If you stop smoking, you will:

• Prolong your life.
• Reduce your risk of disease (including heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, ulcers, gum disease and other conditions).
• Feel healthier. After stopping, you won't cough as much, you'll have fewer sore throats and you will increase your stamina.
• Look better. Stopping can help you prevent face wrinkles, get rid of stained teeth and improve your skin.
• Improve your sense of taste and smell.
• Save money.

How to stop smoking

There's no one way to stop smoking that works for everyone. To stop, you must be ready both emotionally and mentally. You must also want to stop smoking for yourself and not to please your friends or family. It helps to plan ahead. This guide may help you get started.

What should I do first to stop smoking?

Pick a date to stop smoking and then stick to it.

Write down your reasons for stopping smoking. Read over the list every day, before and after you stop. Here are some tips to think about.

• Write down when you smoke, why you smoke and what you are doing when you smoke. You will learn what triggers you to smoke.
• Stop smoking cigarettes in certain situations (such as during your lunch break or after dinner) before actually stopping.
• Make a list of activities you can do instead of smoking. Be ready to do something else when you want to smoke.
• Ask your doctor what treatments and support are available locally or through your general practice.
• Contact your free NHS local Stop Smoking Service which offers one-to-one help as well as group sessions. For more details visit NHS Smokefree.