There is no evidence of a safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. In fact, long-term exposure to secondhand smoke has been shown to cause a 30% increase in the risk of heart disease in nonsmokers. It is estimated that 37,000 coronary heart disease deaths per year are caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke also negatively affects cardiovascular health by decreasing exercise endurance, damaging blood vessel walls, and increasing the tendency of blood platelets to clot, contributing to heart attacks.
I've smoked for most of my life. Is it worth it to quit now?
YES. There are immediate benefits of quitting smoking including decrease in blood pressure, a lowered pulse rate, increased oxygen level in the blood and a decreased blood carbon monoxide level. After two weeks of abstinence, circulation to the extremities improves, blood pressure remains lower, and lung function improves. Long-term benefits also may motivate smokers to quit. One year after quitting, the risk of developing symptomatic coronary artery disease (e.g., angina) is reduced by nearly half compared to those who continue to smoke. After five years of abstinence, the risk of stroke is reduced, approaching that of people who have never smoked.Won't I gain weight if I quit smoking?
Four out of five people who quit smoking gain a small amount of weight. The average is about 5 pounds. Some of this weight gain is due to a temporary increase in appetite caused by nicotine withdrawal that usually goes away within a few weeks or months after quitting.Most ex-smokers have higher levels of exercise endurance, improved cardiovascular functioning, and more energy than they did while they were smokers. Studies indicate that beginning an exercise program for a few weeks before attempting to quit, and maintaining exercise after successfully quitting, can help to prevent both weight gain and relapse.
(published with permission in writing from:ttp://www.idph.state.il.us)
