Smoking
Take up the challenge
and quit smoking.
It's the biggest step you can take to
reduce your risk of having a heart
attack.
The facts about smoking and the heart
Smoking is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease, and
smokers are almost twice as likely to have a
heart attack as people who have never smoked.
It can increase your risk of developing several different
types of cancer and it's the main cause of some lung diseases.
How does smoking damage your heart?
Smoking harms your
heart by:
- Damaging the lining of your arteries, leading
to a build up of fatty material (atheroma) and a reduced space for
blood to pass through.
- The carbon monoxide in
cigarette smoke reduces the amount of
oxygen that the blood can carry to your heart and
body.
- The nicotine in cigarettes stimulates your
body to produce adrenaline, which makes your heart
beat faster and raises
blood pressure, and results in
your heart having to work harder.
- Making your blood more likely to clot.
All of these things increase the risk of developing
coronary heart
disease and having a
heart attack or
a stroke.
Is second-hand smoke harmful?
When non-smokers breathe in second-hand smoke - also
known as passive smoking - it can be
harmful. Research shows that non-smokers who live with smokers have
a greater risk of heart disease
than those who don’t.
How can I give up?
Quitting smoking has huge health
benefits and it’s never too late to give up. Most
smokers want to stop smoking, and 11 million
people in the UK have given up successfully!
Some people find it hard to give up. Being determined is
essential, but there are also things you can do to increase your
chances of stopping.
Practical tips to help you stop smoking
- Make a date to give up and stick to it!
Throw away all your tobacco,
lighters and ashtrays.
- Draw up a plan of action. Think about what
could help you stop smoking, such as using a nicotine-replacement
product, and have it ready before the date you plan to quit.
- Keep busy to help take your
mind off cigarettes. Try to change your routine, and avoid the shop
where you normally buy cigarettes.
- Get support and let your
family and friends know that you
are quitting. Some people find that talking to friends and
relatives who have stopped can be helpful.
- Treat yourself. If you can,
use the money you are saving by not smoking to buy yourself
something special.
Your doctor or practice nurse can give you advice on quitting
and information on:
- Joining a stop-smoking clinic or stop-smoking group.
- Using nicotine-replacement products.
- Taking medication to help you stop smoking.
More information
Visit our Publications
section and download our:
Our free Heart
Matters service can help you with
support and advice too.
Other organisations
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