If you are a smoker it's hard to convince yourself that smoking cigarettes is NOT good for you, especially if you enjoy your cigarettes. Unfortunately for smokers medical research is convincing enough to believe it is always top of the list as a main contributory factor towards coronary artery disease.
Facts and Figures about Smoking!
Carbon monoxide and nicotine are probably the most dangerous substances in tobacco smoke affecting the heart as...
* Nicotine stimulates the body to produce adrenaline which makes the heart beat faster and encourages the build-up of cholesterol deposits in arteries more quickly.
* Carbon monoxide attaches to red pigment in the blood, called haemoglobin, thus reducing its ability to carry oxygen to the heart and all other parts of the body. Also nicotine and carbon monoxide may both encourage thrombosis (blood clotting).
* If you smoke you stand a greater chance of having a heart attack.
* Cigarette smoking is a major cause of disease in the arteries of the leg, which can lead to pain on walking (Claudication) and further complications.
* Filter cigarettes are just as dangerous for the heart as plain cigarettes.
If you have just had a heart attack, it is particularly important to stop smoking, as this will halve the chances of another attack.
Passive or involuntary smoking is when non-smokers inhale other people's smoke; it can be as harmful as if you actually smoked a cigarette therefore passive smoking should be avoided as much as possible. Heavy passive smoking can be very harmful to those who suffer with angina or heart disease and should be totally avoided.
Most smokers accept the risk, and they hope to get away with it! Unfortunately heart patients haven't got away with it and for them to continue smoking is to deliberately cause further damage. Giving up, is the first step , and a healthier heart means a much healthier and happier you and your family.
Some tips to help you quit smoking.
* First and foremost, set a quit date and quit COMPLETELY on that day,
* Identify the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, do you tend to smoke when feeling stressed? When you are out at night with friends? While you are drinking coffee? When you are bored? While you are driving? Etc.
* Keep a diary to help you determine these risky times. Record each time you have a cigarette, including time of day and what you are doing.
* Make a plan about what you'll do instead of smoking at the times you are most likely to smoke. For example, drink tea instead of coffee; tea may not trigger the desire for a cigarette. Or, take a walk when feeling stressed. Remove ashtrays and cigarettes from the car.
* Pretend smoke with a straw!
* Let all of your friends, family, and co-workers know of your plan to stop smoking and your quit date. Just being aware that they know can be a helpful reminder and motivator.
* Prior to your quit date, start reducing your cigarette use, including decreasing the number and strength of the cigarettes.
* Get rid of all of your cigarettes just prior to the quit date and clean out anything that smells like smoke, such as clothes and furniture.
Other tips that help you stay quit include:
* Enrolling in a smoking cessation programme (hospitals, health departments, community centres, and work sites frequently offer this type of programme).
* Ask your health care provider for help, they may think medication is appropriate for you.
* Find out about nicotine patches, gum, and sprays.
* Try hypnosis (It works for some people).
* Avoid smoke-filled settings and situations in which you are more likely to smoke.
* Exercise helps to relieve the urge to smoke.
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Christopher Ruane
