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Smoking and Heart Disease
Smoking is a major cause of heart disease in Wales and the UK, contributing to thousands of preventable deaths every year. Understanding the link between smoking and heart health can help you take control and make positive changes for your future.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease encompasses various conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function, including:
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, often leading to heart attacks.
Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats that can impair heart function.
Heart Failure: A condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs.
These conditions can develop over time and may be influenced by lifestyle factors, including smoking.
What are the Symptoms of Heart Disease
Symptoms can vary depending on the specific condition but often include:
Chest Pain or Discomfort: Often described as pressure, squeezing, or fullness.
Shortness of Breath: Especially during physical activity or when lying down.
Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or lack of energy.
Swelling: In the legs, ankles, or feet due to fluid buildup.
Dizziness or Light-headedness: Especially during exertion.
If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional promptly.
How Smoking Contributes to Heart Disease
Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases. Here’s how it affects your heart:
Atherosclerosis: Chemicals in cigarettes make the walls of your arteries sticky, causing fatty material to adhere and build up, leading to narrowing and blockages.
Increased Blood Pressure: Nicotine raises blood pressure and heart rate, forcing the heart to work harder.
Reduced Oxygen Supply: Carbon monoxide from smoke binds with red blood cells, reducing oxygen availability to the heart and other organs.
Blood Clotting: Smoking increases the likelihood of blood clot formation, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
The most effective way to reduce your risk of heart disease is to quit smoking. Your heart begins to heal almost immediately after you stop:
- 20 minutes: Heart rate and blood pressure start to drop.
- 24 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal.
- 1 year: The risk of heart disease drops by 50%.
- 5 years: The risk of stroke is significantly reduced.
Key Stats
- Heart and circulatory diseases cause more than one in four (27%) of all deaths in Wales, equating to around 9,600 deaths each year.
- Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including strokes and heart attacks
- Over 7% of all inpatient hospital admissions in Wales are for cardiovascular diseases.
- Exposure to second-hand smoke can increases non-smokers' risks of developing smoking-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
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