Smoking & heart disease. Where there s smoke

Transcription

1 Smoking & heart disease Where there s smoke

2 The truth about smoking It s a common belief that smoking is a habit or lifestyle choice. But the truth is that it s a chemical addiction. What if I need help? If you re living with heart problems, quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent or delay complications. Fortunately, you have options when it comes to finding the best quit method for you. Nicotine changes brain chemistry over time 2X With the help of NRT, you can double your chances of quitting for good That s what makes quitting so hard. When your brain doesn t receive the nicotine and euphoric effects it s come to expect, the unpleasant feelings of withdrawal and cravings that follow are tied to these changes in brain chemistry. In short, your body seems to call out for nicotine because it s no longer getting it. When trying to quit, the most important thing to do is be persistent, even if you give in to a craving. Just like you manage your diabetes, take quitting one day at a time. What is NRT? Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, are products that are designed to help you manage your cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They supply your body with low doses of nicotine without the toxins you would normally get with cigarettes. While you may still experience cravings with NRT, they should occur less often and be less intense over time.

3 How does smoking affect the heart? It s well known that smoking can harm your lungs, but it can also take a toll on one of your most vital organs; your heart. Stroke risk Since smoking makes your arteries less efficient at getting blood to the brain, it s not surprising that it also increases your risk of having a stroke. As the result of a blocked blood flow to the brain, a stroke can do permanent damage to your brain or even cause death. Heart disease The harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke can affect the way your heart and blood vessels (arteries) function. For heart disease, smoking is a major risk factor, and female smokers may be at risk up to 25% more than male smokers. Heart disease occurs when plaque builds up in your heart s arteries. Over time, it can lead to chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, heart rate issues, or even death. And if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or are overweight, smoking further increases this risk. Clogged arteries Plaque buildup can also occur in arteries located elsewhere. When this plaque eventually hardens, it narrows the arteries and restricts the amount of blood that s able to flow through them. Smoking contributes to this process, and overall, hurts your blood s ability to carry oxygen throughout your body. More complications Other parts of your body may also suffer from the effect of smoking on your blood vessels. When plaque builds up in the arteries that carry oxygen to your limbs (like your legs for example), it can cause pain, numbness, infection, and could even lead to amputation. In terms of risk, it s also been seen that women using birth control pills are at a much higher risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke than nonsmoking women taking birth control pills. And finally, the harmful effects smoking may not only be limited to your body. One study found that smoking was associated with depression in patients with heart disease, and poor mental health-related quality of life. Don t let your health go up in smoke. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can help you quit.

4 What are my options? NRT products come in several formats and strengths. Ask your healthcare provider to find out what might work best for you. No matter how you decide to tackle quitting, you ll be making a good choice. Patch Gum A good option for smokers who are looking for continuous relief Replaces the oral fixation of smoking and lets you switch quickly from one strength to another Lozenge Inhaler Like gum, provides an oral fix with flexible dosing options Nasal spray A hand-to-mouth option that mimics the physical movement of smoking Oral spray A quick-acting option that delivers fast relief As one of the latest NRT options, this is the fastest form of nicotine delivery

5 You don t have to go it alone No matter how lonely quitting may feel, your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist is there to support you. They ll work with you to figure out how ready you are to quit, whether you d like to reduce-to-quit or stop smoking right away, and what sorts of products might help make your journey easier. References: 1. Canadian Diabetes Association. Smoking and diabetes. diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/heart-health/smoking-diabetes. zaccessed October 1, Tobacco use and dependence guideline panel. Treating tobacco use and dependence (Update); US Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed October 1, Ford K, Shilliday B. Smoking and Diabetes: Helping Patients Quit. Clinical Diabetes 2006;24;3: Roberts, S. Smoking and diabtes: Helping patients quit. Diabetes Forecast 2004: Eliasson, B. Cigarette smoking and diabetes. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases 2003;45;5: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Promotion. Smoking and diabetes gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html. 7. Haire-Joshu, et al. Smoking and diabetes. Diabetes Care 1999;22;11: Health Canada. Nicorette Quickmist product license McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., Markham, Canada L3R 5L2 Johnson & Johnson Inc NRT-TBD