Heart Disease and Smoking

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Heart Disease and Smoking

Smoking

Cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable death in this country. Tobacco

is toxic to your body. The nicotine in cigarettes makes your body release

adrenaline. Adrenaline causes your blood vessels to constrict and your heart to

beat faster, which raises your blood pressure. This can lead to heart attacks

and strokes. The tars and other toxic substances in tobacco can cause cancer of

the lungs and other organs. Tars also damage the lungs, leading to emphysema (a

serious breathing disorder). Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide (which

interferes with your

lungs' ability to get oxygen into the blood), and other chemicals, such as DDT,

arsenic and formaldehyde. All of these chemicals are bad for your lungs and

body. That's why stopping smoking is so important.

Smoking Addiction

It seems hard to stop smoking because smoking causes changes in your body and in

the way you act. The changes in your body are caused by addiction to nicotine.

The changes in the way you act have formed over time as you have bought

cigarettes, lit them and smoked them. These changes have become your smoking

habit. When you have a smoking habit, many things seem to go along with having

a cigarette. These might include having a cup of coffee, being stressed or

worried, talking on the phone, driving, taking a break at work, having a drink,

socializing with friends or wanting something to do with your hands.

Stop smoking

Can try the following measures to stop smoking

Use nicotine replacement.

Get support and encouragement.

Learn how to handle stress and the urge to smoke.

Use medication if recommended by your doctor.

Preparation

Set a stop date 2 to 4 weeks from now. Keep a diary of when and why you smoke to

help you better understand your smoking habit. Using the diary, you and your

family doctor can develop a plan to help you deal with the things that make you

want to light a cigarette.

Withdrawal effects

How you feel when you stop depends on how much you smoked, how addicted your

body is to nicotine and how well you get ready to stop. You may crave a

cigarette, and you may be hungrier than usual. You may feel edgy and have

trouble concentrating. You also may cough more at first and you may have

headaches. These things happen because your body is used to nicotine. The

symptoms are strongest during the first few days after quitting, but most go

away in a few weeks.

Nicotine replacement

Nicotine replacement products are ways to take in nicotine without smoking.

Nicotine replacement works by lessening your craving for nicotine and reducing

the withdrawal symptoms. It allows you to focus on the changes you need to make

in your habits and environment. Once you're more comfortable being a nonsmoker,

dealing with your nicotine addiction is easier.

People with heart disease, however, may need to stop taking in nicotine

altogether. If you have heart disease, do not buy nicotine replacement products

unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Support and encouragement

Tell your family and friends what kind of help you need. Some people like

support from friends and family, while others don't want people to comment.

Your family doctor can also recommend stop-smoking programs. Support and

encouragement don't have to come from just your family and friends, though.

Give yourself personal rewards for stopping smoking. Buy yourself something

you've always wanted or treat yourself to an afternoon movie.

Stress and the urges to smoke

The first few days after stopping will be the hardest. Look back at your smoking

diary and see what triggered you to smoke. Then think of other things to do

instead of lighting up at these times, such as walking or simply breathing

deeply and slowly. Think of changes in your routine that will help you not

smoke, such as drinking hot tea in the morning instead of coffee (if you used

to smoke while you had a cup of coffee).

Weight gain after discontinuing smoking

Most people gain a few pounds (usually less than 10) after they stop smoking.

It's important to know that any weight gain is a minor health risk compared to

the risks of continuing to smoke. To limit your weight gain, try not to replace

smoking with overeating. Find other ways to keep your hands busy instead of

picking up food. Make sure you have healthy, low-fat snacks on hand in case you

do reach for food. And start exercising or exercise more. Exercise helps burn

calories and has the added benefit of keeping you busy so you can't smoke. Your

doctor will help you find out how much exercise is right for you.

POSTED BY

TOMS

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