Stop Smoking. It'S Possible!

To have the best chance at quitting and staying a non-smoker, you need to know what you’re up against, what your options are and where to go for help If you are addicted to smoking, quit today! It is the most important step you can take to protect your heart’s health. At Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj (FHVK) we understand that changing a long-standing habit may not be easy. But if you plan and prepare to quit smoking, you are much more likely to be successful. Why quit smoking? Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals. Every time you smoke, these chemicals enter your lungs, thus increasing your risk of developing heart disease, stroke and cancer. Smoking facts On an average, smokers die around 10 years younger than non-smokers. Smokers have nearly twice the risk of having heart attack compared to people who never smoke. Not smoking after a heart attack reduces the risk of having another heart attack and improves your chances of surviving the next heart attack. Giving up the habit of smoking before any surgery, especially a heart surgery reduces the risk of serious complications. Passive smoking and its side effects There are several cases of people dying from tobacco-related illnesses, despite the fact that they have never smoked a cigarette in their lives. Even non-smokers are at risk of developing lung cancer and other diseases due to passive inhalation. With people smoking in public places, bystanders could be at risk from the harmful effects of cigarettes. When you inhale the smoke, you consume second-hand tobacco and it exposes you to the same health risks as the person who smokes. Smoking affects your heart While smoking, the chemicals in tobacco damage the lining of your coronary arteries. This damage leads to building of fatty material into your arteries, which may block or narrow them thus leading to angina – a pain or discomfort in your chest. The chemicals in tobacco smoke make your blood platelets stickier to form clots, which can block your arteries and cause heart attack and stroke. That’s one of the reasons why smokers have a greater risk of having heart attack than non-smokers. MYTHS Busted Smoking relieves stress: A lot of people think tobacco helps them relax and cope up with stress. This is, however, not true. Most of the smokers are caught in a trap. Nicotine is highly addictive. When they inhale they get a kick from the nicotine and feel an adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, the positive effects of nicotine last for a very short time. When the effects wear off, the smokers start feeling withdrawal symptoms such as irritation and tension building up in their body; they interpret these as stress. As a result, the smoker lights up another cigarette, thus it becomes a vicious cycle. There are a number of effective ways and medications available to help people quit this fatal habit. The smoking cessation clinic at FHVK offers the right support and therapy. The team of dedicated professionals helps you choose the right quitting technique as per your smoking pattern and lifestyle.