For some reason, most people are of the view that heart disease affects only the old people. However this is not true because the disease occurs across all ages and is a major cause of death in the US, UK, Australia and many other countries across the globe. Figures show that every year, 208,000 cardiovascular deaths are reported in the UK alone.
There are four main risk factors of heart disease namely elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking. Therefore if you are a smoker, it is advisable to quit the habit as soon as you can. Smoking and the other factors contribute to the occurrence of heart disease because they cause the arteries to harden.
To function properly the heart requires a constant supply of nutrients and oxygen via the coronary arteries. As one ages or leads an unhealthy lifestyle, fat is progressively deposited into one or both of these arteries in a process referred to as atherosclerosis. The fatty deposits are also called atheroma or plaque.
Smoking contributors to the onset or worsening of a heart condition in a number of ways. Every time you have that puff, the nicotine in the smoke makes the adrenaline level in the blood is raised. In such a case, the heart is made to beat faster leading to a rise in the blood pressure. Additionally, cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide which neutralizes the oxygen in the blood. As a result the amount of oxygen taken to the heart and other parts of the body is reduced. Finally but not the least, smoking is known to cause atheroma and shrinkage of the arteries. All these factors can lead to a life threatening heart disease.
As you can see, there is nothing good that comes from the smoking habit, at least from the medical point of view. If you are in smoking and are finding it hard to quit, you are not alone. Figures show that 11 million people in the UK are in the same predicament. The situation is replicated in other parts of the world. The good news is that you can quit smoking systematically and reduce the risk of contracting or worsening heart disease. In most cases it is a matter of change of attitude and resolve. Make a plan to quit smoking and faithfully stick to it.
A helpful way to quit smoking is by taking stop-smoking aid. The all-natural ingredients found in the non-smoking aid will support your lungs and improve your respiratory function. With the vitamins and minerals that the stop-smoking aid has, it will help you achieve a better lung health.