Ask the Doc...
About Cigarette Smoking, Heart Attack and Stroke
Why does Smoking increase my risk of heart disease and stroke?
Cigarette smoking has been strongly associated with increased risk of blood clots and development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Both of these conditions can cause a heart attack or a stroke. The toxins in each cigarette smoked cause the blood to thicken and clots to form as well as promote narrowing of the arteries of the heart and brain with cholesterol plaque. This happens even if your cholesterol level is normal and worsens with each cigarette smoked. Moderate smoking increases risk of early death by 70%, heavy smoking increases risk of early death by 200%. Smokers have 5 times the risk of stroke as non-smokers.
If I quit smoking, when does my risk of stroke get better?
You reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack with the first cigarette you do not smoke. By 5 years after quitting smoking, your risk of heart attack and stroke is the same as if you never smoked.
Are there any other benefits to quitting smoking?
Within a few hours of quitting cigarettes your body will begin to heal. With time the morning cough will improve, breathing will become easier, and taste and smell will improve. You will have reduced your risk of emphysema, lung, mouth and throat cancer, pancreatic cancer, high blood pressure, and stomach ulcers.
Will a nicotine patch increase my risk of stroke?
No, the nicotine patch is not associated with an increased risk of stroke or heart disease.
What other treatments can help my quit smoking?
Nicotine patches or gum are very helpful. Buproprion is a medicine that curbs some of the urge to smoke. You need to start the medicine a week before you quit smoking for it to work best. There are also several smoking cessation groups that can help. Some people are helped with hypnosis or acupuncture.
How long do withdrawal symptoms last?
It takes about 1-2 weeks. Then, each day gets easier. The withdrawal can be lessened with the medications listed above and there are some things you can do to help ease the urge to smoke:
- Try to spend as much free time as possible in non-smoking places and ask smokers not to smoke in your home.
- Reward yourself in some way for every day you don’t smoke.
- Drink more water and juice and avoid coffee or drinks you used to smoke with.
- If you smoke after you eat, brush your teeth and take a walk instead to avoid the temptation to smoke.
NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO QUIT SMOKING AND IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH FOR A LIFETIME!
For further questions about how you can quit smoking:
- www.strokeassociation.org
- www.hoptechno.com/book43.htm
- To learn more about reducing your risk of stroke:
American Stroke Association Warmline: 1-800 553-6321
