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Quit smoking NOW... It's the most important thing you can do for your
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"If you want to do just ONE thing for your heart health, quit smoking... NOW!” This is the crystal clear message I heard when attending a recent conference featuring a cardiologist as the keynote speaker.
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The American Heart Association reports that in the US, an estimated 23.4% of American men and 18.5% of American women are smokers. In Canada, the Heart & Stroke Foundation reports that (in 2005) 22% of men were smokers, compared with 16% of women.
Smokers are at higher risk of heart disease.
If you are a smoker, you know the risks - you know you should quit.
According to some statistics, 70% of smokers want to stop, but only about five percent are successful.
What can you do?
Why are cigarettes so harmful to your health?
They contain toxins such as nicotine, tar, ammonia, arsenic, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, and lead. Nasty substances to put in your body! Not only are you at MUCH higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer if you are a smoker, but also periodontal disease, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcers, blood clots, impotence in men, infertility in women, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, and more.
And on top of all that, smoking makes you smell bad and gives you bad breath. It turns your teeth yellow and gives you facial wrinkles. And it costs thousands of dollars a year.
The good news is that you will experience the benefits very quickly when you quit smoking. Within days of quitting you will notice changes in your breathing and circulation. Food will taste better. You will have reduced cough, congestion, wheezing, and risk of respiratory infection. You'll have money for heart healthy activities or vacations. And, best of all, quitting will increase your life expectancy and reduce your risk of recurrent heart attack and heart disease significantly. It's never too late to quit.
It may be the hardest thing you've ever done. Not only is it a matter of your life or death it's a matter of the quality of the rest of your life!
Whats the point in quitting if I already have heart disease?
Sometimes people feel it's futile to go through the hardship of quitting something they really enjoy when "the damage is already done." The reality is, if you are living with heart disease, you can benefit from quitting. You can reduce your risk of recurrent heart attack and heart disease by quitting NOW.
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