In the United States, almost one-third of all deaths from coronary heart disease each year are related to smoking.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Ockene IS, Miller NH.
Cigarette smoking, cardiovascular disease, and stroke: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association. American Heart Association Task Force on Risk Reduction.
Circulation. 1997; 96: 3243-7.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ Researchers don't know exactly how smoking harms your heart. But they do know that nicotine and other byproducts of smoking damage the lining of your arteries. And these byproducts also make blood stickier and more likely to clot. If you get blood clots in the arteries that supply your heart with blood (your

 

 

 

 

 

coronary arteries
Coronary arteries are the vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. If yours are blocked, you may have a pain in your chest (known as angina) or a heart attack because parts of the heart are not getting enough blood and oxygen.

 

 

 

 

 

coronary arteries) they can stop blood from reaching your heart and cause heart muscle to die.

If you have other risk factors for a heart attack or have already been diagnosed with heart disease, smoking is particularly dangerous. Smokers who have heart attacks are more likely to die than nonsmokers who have heart attacks. The more you smoke, the higher your risk. And inhaling other people's tobacco smoke at home or at work increases your risk of getting heart disease by about 30 percent.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Petersen S, Peto V, Rayner M.
Coronary heart disease statistics 2004.
Available at http://www.heartstats.org (accessed on 11 November 2008).

 

 

 

 

 

²

If you quit smoking you can reduce your risk of getting heart disease or having a heart attack. You can get help with quitting. Treatments that work include nicotine replacement gum or a skin patch, a drug called bupropion (Zyban) and counseling. (To learn more, see our section on Stopping smoking.) Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.