We all know that smoking is bad. That has been one of the most pervasive health messages of recent years, and it seems to be sinking in. The number of people who smoke has gone down dramatically, but it’s still one of the main preventable causes of death across the globe. Therefore, it can’t hurt to recap the problems it causes for your heart and discuss the many available quitting methods.
First, why is smoking tobacco so bad? The full list of potential side effects is probably beyond the scope of this article. Smoking has a negative impact on pretty much every aspect of physical health. The lungs, brain, bowel and even gums and teeth are all impacted. Smoking is a major contributor to more than one type of cancer.
When it comes to the heart and circulatory system, one of the main problems with the chemicals in cigarettes is that they create a stickiness on the walls of the arteries that makes fat build up and restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Smoking also increases your heart rate and blood pressure while reducing the amount of oxygen traveling through the body.
It doesn’t take long to feel the benefits of quitting. Your blood pressure and heart rate should go down quickly. There are also indirect advantages. As your breathing and heart improve, it will be easier to exercise, allowing you to increase your heart health further. And it’s not just you who benefits; so will the family and friends who may experience side effects from passively breathing in your cigarettes.
Of course, you’ll also be experiencing withdrawal. Quitting is tough. There are ways to mitigate the negative effects of smoking without completely giving up, like switching to vaping. E-cigarettes don’t have as many bad chemicals as regular cigarettes, but they’re still addictive and may cause other problems. They’re recommended for current smokers trying to cut back but not for non-smokers looking for a “harmless” alternative.
Then there are the familiar range of aids such as patches and gum to take the edge off cravings. Keep your hands full so you don’t notice you’re not holding a cigarette. Enlist help from family and friends or doctors and psychologists. Some people like hypnotherapy. There are lots of services set up to help you so you don’t have to do it alone.
