| Heart disease is the number one killer of | | | | |
| both men and women in the USA and other | | | | Passive smoking is another major cause of |
| western countries. You can take action to | | | | heart disease, and those non smokers who |
| reduce heart disease. Heart disease is in | | | | inhale smoke from others are at direct risk. |
| fact any condition that affects the heart | | | | If you live with a regular smoker it will |
| (cardio) or the blood vessels (vascular). The | | | | increase your risk of heart disease by 30%. |
| cardiovascular diseases you may be most aware | | | | Inhaling others smoke is especially hazardous |
| of are heart attack and stroke. You can take | | | | for children and unborn babies by pregnant |
| heart though as smoking is on the decline in | | | | women and contributes to low birth weight, |
| numerous parts of the world including the UK | | | | sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), |
| which now has a total ban on smoking in | | | | bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and middle ear |
| public places, and you, too, can find a way | | | | infections. |
| to quit. | | | | |
| | | | Stop Smoking to Improve Your Health and |
| Cigarette smoking is the major cause of heart | | | | Increase Your |
| diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and | | | | |
| other vascular diseases. | | | | Life Span |
| | | | |
| Important Heart Disease Facts Due to Smoking: | | | | Many people smoke to cope with stress, lose |
| | | | weight, because of poor self-esteem, or |
| Nicotine causes increases in blood pressure | | | | simply to fit in with their friend's circle. |
| as the carbon monoxide makes the heart beat | | | | Most new smokers obtain their first cigarette |
| quicker and takes the place of oxygen in the | | | | from someone else or find it readily |
| blood. | | | | available around the house from a smoking |
| | | | adult. |
| Tobacco contains more then 4,000 chemicals, | | | | |
| many of which are known to be poisonous to | | | | Getting Help |
| humans. | | | | |
| | | | If you think you cannot quit smoking with |
| Tar in tobacco is well known as a cause of | | | | just plain will power and if you are a heavy |
| cancer, which can be a fatal disease. | | | | smoker, try to get some help before you |
| | | | start. |
| Smoking for prolonged periods will cause | | | | |
| clogging of the arteries, which in turn leads | | | | Check your doctor first and see what course |
| to heart attacks from working the heart too | | | | of action they recommend. In many cases your |
| hard by reducing its oxygen supply. Clots are | | | | Doctor can prescribe Nicotine patches, pills |
| also more likely to form in the blood vessels | | | | or chewing gums are a great substitute. If |
| raising the risk of potentially fatal changes | | | | you can try to give up with a friend or a |
| in the heart beat. | | | | group. |
| | | | |
| Regular, long-time smokers have a 70% larger | | | | Smoking can cause you and those who live |
| risk of death from coronary heart disease | | | | close to you that inhale your smoke to die |
| than non-smokers. | | | | early by causing heart disease and cancer. |
| | | | That should be reason enough to give up |
| 80% of new smokers are children and | | | | smoking. Enjoy a healthier lifestyle and stop |
| adolescents who are trying to copy adults or | | | | exposing your family and loved ones to |
| to appear "cool" to their peer group. | | | | passive smoking. |