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