Heart Disease and Smoking
Most people know that cigarette and tobacco smoking increases the risk of lung cancer and breathing problems. Still, few realize that it also dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (disease in the vessels that supply blood to the arms and legs), and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Research has shown that nicotine increases heart rate, and smoking tightens major arteries and can cause an irregular heart rhythm, all of which makes your heart work harder. A 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that more than 50 percent of adults aged 40 to 59 who smoked developed heart disease. Smoking also raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke.
Although nicotine is the primary active agent in cigarette smoke, other chemicals and compounds, such as tar and carbon monoxide, are also harmful to your heart in many ways. These chemicals lead to the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), possibly by injuring the vessel walls. They also affect cholesterol levels and levels of fibrinogen, a blood-clotting material. This increases the risk of a blood clot that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Whether you are ready to quit smoking or vaping today or simply thinking about it, our Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery Program can provide you with the support and tools you need to succeed. Together, let’s make your heart health a priority, one smoke-free day at a time.
Request an appointment with our certified tobacco treatment specialists, call us at 833-795-QUIT (7848) or email quitcenter@rwjbh.org.
Why Should I Quit Smoking?
According to the American Heart Association, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Once you decide to quit, you are already on your way to a healthier heart and a reduced risk of heart disease. The most significant benefit is that you may live longer. Statistics show that smokers who quit between the ages of 35 and 39 can add an average of 6 to 9 years to their lives. Quitting smoking has other benefits, too. You will:
- Reduce your risk of developing and dying from heart disease
- Lower your risk of atherosclerosis
- Lower your risk of blood clots
- Reduce your risk of sudden cardiac death, a second heart attack, and death from other chronic diseases
Quitting smoking significantly benefits heart health, dramatically reducing the risk of heart disease over time. While some individuals may experience temporary challenges, such as weight gain and increased stress from nicotine withdrawal, these are outweighed by the long-term advantages. For example, the risk of coronary heart disease substantially decreases to about half that of a smoker within a year of quitting. It's crucial to manage these transitions under medical guidance, especially for those with existing heart conditions, and to complement quitting with a healthy lifestyle for the best outcomes for heart health.
Secondhand Smoke
When you smoke, you also put others at risk: According to the American Heart Association, about 40,000 people die of heart and blood vessel diseases caused by secondhand smoke. Non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent. This emphasizes the importance of not only quitting smoking but also ensuring a smoke-free environment for those around you.
Children and teens have an increased risk of heart disease as adults because breathing secondhand smoke lowers their “good cholesterol” levels, raises their blood pressure, and damages the heart.
Secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for premature babies who have respiratory distress syndrome and for children with asthma. It has also been shown that children exposed to secondhand smoke tend to have increased fluid in the middle ear, which leads to ear infections.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
While many people believe vaping or using an e-cigarette is safer than smoking combustible cigarettes, there is still an increased risk for heart-related problems.
According to the American College of Cardiology Foundation, e-cigarette users are 56 percent more likely to have a heart attack and 30 percent more likely to suffer a stroke. Coronary artery disease and circulatory problems, including blood clots, were also much higher among those who vape — 10 percent and 44 percent higher, respectively.
How Do I Quit Smoking?
You must be ready to quit to be successful. And remember, most smokers try to quit 5 to 7 times before they succeed. Here are a few tips:
- Pick a quit date to quit: Maybe a day that means something to you (like a birthday).
- Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, office or other places you might normally smoke.
- Be aware of the situations that make you want to smoke and avoid them.
- Tell your family, friends and coworkers that you are quitting, and ask those who smoke not to smoke around you.
- Ask your doctor about nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, lozenges, nasal sprays or prescription medicines that may help you quit and/or aid with withdrawal symptoms.
- Join a counseling group or program.
- Participate in wellness-oriented activities to keep a positive focus. RWJBarnabas Health offers Wellness events throughout the year designed to keep you healthy.
If you're in Middlesex, Somerset, Mercer, Ocean, Essex, Union, or Monmouth County and looking for support to quit, consider the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s FREE 8-week Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery Program. Here, you'll partner with a certified tobacco treatment specialist tailored to your journey. Plus, receive free nicotine replacement therapy (including patches, gum and lozenges) as part of your personalized treatment plan. Let us support you in taking this significant step towards a smoke-free life.
How Will I Feel When I Quit?
Beating your addiction to nicotine will take more than willpower and determination. Expect challenges. Most people who are finding it tough to quit will start smoking again in the first three months after trying to quit.
The difficulty in quitting is often caused by the withdrawal symptoms you feel, but these symptoms will go away in time. And even as the physical withdrawal decreases, you may still be tempted to smoke when you feel stressed or down. Be ready for these times. Just knowing that certain feelings can be a smoking trigger will help you handle them.
When withdrawal symptoms occur within the first two weeks after quitting, stay in control. Think about your reasons for quitting. Remind yourself that these are signs that your body is healing and getting used to being without cigarettes.
The withdrawal symptoms are only temporary. They are strongest when you first quit but will go away within 10 to 14 days. Remember that withdrawal symptoms are easier to treat than the major diseases that smoking can cause.
You may still have the desire to smoke. There are many strong associations with smoking, like smoking during specific situations, with a variety of emotions, or with certain people in their lives. The best way to overcome these associations is to experience them without smoking.
Smoking, Women and Heart Health
Smoking is a significant risk factor for heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death among women globally. The relationship between smoking and heart health is complex and multifaceted, with smoking significantly increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Research suggests that women who smoke may have a higher risk of heart disease compared to men who smoke. This increased risk could be due to a variety of factors, including biological differences and how female bodies process harmful substances found in cigarettes.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. The benefits of quitting smoking are immediate and profound. According to theAmerican Lung Association:
- Within 20 minutes of quitting, your heart rate will decrease.
- Within 12 to 24 hours of quitting, the carbon monoxide levels in your blood will decrease to normal.
- Within two weeks to three months of quitting, your risk of a heart attack decreases, and your lungs will begin to work better.
- After one year, your added risk of coronary artery disease is half that of someone who smokes.
- After 5 to 15 years, your risk of stroke is the same as that of a nonsmoker.
- After 10 years, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of someone who smokes.
- After 15 years, your risk of coronary artery disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker.
If you smoke again
If you relapse, don’t give up! Review the reasons why you wanted to become a nonsmoker. Plan ahead and think about what you will do next time you get the urge to smoke. And if you’re looking for a smoking cessation program, contact us today.
If You Smoke, Talk to an Expert About Your Heart Health
Concerned about how smoking might be affecting your heart? Talk to an RWJBarnabas Health cardiologist today.
