Smoking
How Smoking Affects Your Heart
The nicotine in smoke causes the arteries of the heart to narrow. The carbon monoxide released from cigarettes damages the walls of the arteries, encouraging the buildup of fat on those walls. Smoking also:
- Raises the level of blood cholesterol
- Speeds up the heart rate
- Increases blood pressure
Smoking after a heart attack or angioplasty increases the chances of a second heart attack and of reblocking of the coronary arteries (restenosis).
If You Smoke: Quit!
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to positively affect your heart health. The benefits of quitting occur within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, and at one year your risk of a heart attack is reduced by 50 per cent.
Keep in mind this one important tip: Most people find that the more support they get while trying to quit, the better their chances of success.
Quit Smoking Programs
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute's Quit Smoking Program is available to all smokers who are interested in quitting. We use proven techniques and individualized counselling to help people kick the habit. To register for the Quit Smoking Program, please call 613-761-5464.
Other programs for quitting smoking can be found here.
Action Tips
- Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to improve your heart health
