Did you know that smoking is one of the biggest threats to a healthy heart? Every cigarette a person smokes can hurt the heart and damage blood vessels. The good news is that it's never too late to stop, and the heart can start healing as soon as someone stops smoking.
How Exactly Does Smoking Hurt The Heart?
Smoking introduces chemicals into the blood. These chemicals:
● Raise the blood pressure and heart rate
● Make the heart work harder than it should
● Make the blood vessels narrow and stiff
● Make the blood sticky, which can cause clots
All of these things can lead to heart attacks and other serious heart problems.
What Happens When Someone Someone Stops Smoking?
The human body is pretty amazing in what it can do. Healing begins pretty quickly after someone stops smoking and healing continues for years to come when someone refrains from smoking.
● After 20 minutes: heart rate and blood pressure decrease
● After 2 weeks: circulation improves and the risk of having a heart attack beings to drop
● After 1 year: risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker
What Other Benefits Come With Being A Non-Smoker?
● Improved breathing
● Increased energy
● Saving money
● Protecting others from second hand smoke
● Setting a healthy example for kids
The Caroline County Health Department offers one-on-one appointments with a nurse to help individuals that live or work in Caroline County to stop smoking. Call or text 410-829-0848 to learn more or request an appointment. The Maryland Quitline is another great resource available to anyone 13 and older looking for support to stop using any tobacco products. The Quitline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-QUIT-NOW