Smoking has long been associated with a variety of health problems, but few realize its profound impact on heart health. Every puff of cigarette smoke introduces harmful chemicals into your body, which can severely damage your cardiovascular system. As the most comprehensive and only AHA-certified cardiology centre in Kerala, we are committed to raising awareness about these risks and guide you toward a healthier, smoke-free life.
How Smoking Impacts Your Heart
When you smoke, your blood vessels constrict and lose their flexibility. It also promotes the deposition of plaque, a condition called atherosclerosis. This narrowing reduces blood flow to your heart and other vital organs, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.
Impact of Smoking on Heart Health & How to Quit
Smoking has long been associated with a variety of health problems, but few realize its profound impact on heart health. Every puff of cigarette smoke introduces harmful chemicals into your body, which can severely damage your cardiovascular system. As the most comprehensive and only AHA-certified cardiology centre in Kerala, we are committed to raising awareness about these risks and guide you toward a healthier, smoke-free life.
How Smoking Impacts Your Heart
When you smoke, your blood vessels constrict and lose their flexibility. It also promotes the deposition of plaque, a condition called atherosclerosis. This narrowing reduces blood flow to your heart and other vital organs, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.
Smoking also contributes to increased blood pressure and lowers the levels of HDL cholesterol, which is known as the 'good' cholesterol. This causes your heart to work harder, increasing its intensity and speeding up the deterioration and ageing of your arterial walls. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen, which further increases the strain on your heart and hampers its efficiency.
Why Quitting Smoking Is Crucial for Heart Health
Quitting smoking can significantly lower your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Research indicates that your risk of experiencing a heart attack significantly decreases within one year of quitting smoking. Over time, your cardiovascular system begins to repair itself, restoring some of the resilience lost due to years of smoking.
Deciding to quit smoking is a significant move to protect your heart and enhance your overall health. And you don’t have to do it alone; support from our doctors at Aster MIMS Calicut can make a difference.
How to Quit Smoking: Practical Steps
1. Set a Clear Quit Date: Choose a specific day to stop smoking and prepare yourself mentally and physically.
2. Recognise Triggers: Identify situations or feelings that lead to smoking and create strategies to manage cravings without cigarettes.
3. Building a support system increases your likelihood of success.
4. Seek Support: Reach out to professionals for expert advice or explore support groups for additional assistance. Explore Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Utilising products such as patches, gum, or lozenges can effectively reduce withdrawal discomfort and aid in your effort to quit smoking.
5. Adopt Healthy Habits: Engage in regular exercise, maintain a balanced diet, and practice stress-relief techniques such as meditation/yoga or music therapy.
6. Remain Determined and Patient: Quitting smoking is a process that may include obstacles along the way.
The Role of our Cardiologists at Aster MIMS Calicut
The cardiology team at Aster MIMS Calicut is the only AHA accredited team in entire Kerala state. If you're struggling to quit or concerned about your heart health, consult the best cardiologist in Kerala. Our doctors are trained to provide personalized care, helping you understand your risks and guiding you through effective treatment options. Whether it’s managing existing heart conditions or developing a plan to quit smoking, expert medical support is crucial.
Summary
Your heart deserves the highest level of care, and giving up smoking is one of the most powerful choices you can make for its protection.
Every step you take matters, and with the right guidance and commitment, overcoming tobacco addiction is entirely possible.
Take the first step today by putting your heart health first. Connect with the best cardiology hospital in Calicut..
Seize control of your heart health, because your well-being matters.
Connect to Cardiologist: +91 7736436236
