Do you smoke or vape? – IMPORTANT INFO YOU NEED TO KNOW

In 2022 it’s no secret that nicotine and smoking are detrimental to your well-being.  Statistics show that 480,000 people per year die due to the chemicals in cigarettes. Smoke can cause lung cancer and a number of other diseases.

Both nicotine and carbon monoxide interfere with the circulatory system. They change your heart and blood vessels in ways that increase your chances of developing heart disease.

The Effects of Nicotine

Those who are at risk of heart disease, diabetes, or stroke should stop smoking cigarettes as well as vaping. They should also avoid secondhand smoke since it can strain the heart, regardless of whether they smoke e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes. Smoking can have various effects on your body, but it can most directly affect your heart.

• Increased blood pressure
• Accelerated your heart rate
• Narrowing your arteries and blood vessels
• Increased flow of blood to your heart
• Hardening of arteries, leading to heart disease, heart attack, or stroke

Nicotine can stay in your body for up to eight hours, which can harm your internal organs. Another dangerous chemical, carbon monoxide, can also affect your body. It binds hemoglobin, which is the molecule that carries oxygen.

When carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, it can’t bind to oxygen, which reduces the amount of oxygen that’s delivered to all of your cells. A domino effect occurs, which increases the amount of oxygen that’s pumped into your body and helps your heart expand. These instances can lead to various changes in the structure and function of your heart, which can increase your risk of heart disease and other conditions.

After stopping smoking, the damage to your blood vessels and heart can start being reversed. This can help lower your risk of various health conditions.

The Benefits of Quitting Nicotine Products

Despite the clear negative effects of vaping and nicotine, many people still choose to smoke. It can help them start to repair their bodies immediately. According to the FDA, stopping smoking can help improve several of the heart’s health benefits.

• Just 20 minutes after you stop smoking, your heart rate drops
• Only 12 hours after quitting, carbon monoxide levels can return to normal
• Amazingly, after four years, your risk of stroke decreases to the same level as nonsmokers

If you are looking to improve your cardiovascular health, reach out to Tampa Cardiovascular Associates today. Our team of specialists is here to provide superior patient-centered care with top-of-the-line, cutting-edge technology to ensure you receive the best heart health treatment available. Contact us at 813-975-2800 or visit www.tampacardio.com to learn more!