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Quitting Smoking for a Healthier Heart
Quitting Smoking for a Healthier HeartWhen you have cardiovascular disease and continue to smoke, you speed up the factors that lead to heartattack and stroke.Your body’s natural reaction to smoking includes increased blood pressure and heart rate, making your heartwork harder. Smoking directly damages your blood vessels each time you inhale.That’s why quitting is the best thing you can do for your heart and blood vessels. Stop smoking today!There’s no one way to quit that works for everyone.It may help you to get started by setting a quit date.Some people quit cold turkey. Others try making gradual lifestyle changes to curb both the physical urge tosmoke and the emotional one before a quit date.Nicotine patches and gum help your body gradually ease off nicotine. Both are available over-the counter andwithout a prescription. But talk to your healthcare provider before using any over-the-counter choices to makesure they will not interfere with your current medications.Prescription medications can also help reduce the physical urge to smoke and may be the best option for you.Talk to your healthcare provider about prescription choices that may work for you.Your cardiac care team may also recommend additional treatments or other resources you may find helpfulwhen trying to quit- like Individual counseling sessions, tobacco quit lines, smoking cessation programs, localsupport groups, and quitting smoking apps.Avoid secondhand smoke. It is just as dangerous to your heart and vascular health.If friends or members of your family smoke, ask them to not smoke around you, or even better, to quit with you.That way you can help and support each other.The cardiovascular benefits of quitting begin quickly.Within 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse rate decrease.In the first 8 hours oxygen levels in your blood return to normal.Within 48 hours your chance of heart attack decreases.There will be set backs. It’s easy to become frustrated. But don’t get discouraged if you slip up.Most people have to quit more than once, and try different methods before they are successful. If you startsmoking again, set another quit date and try again.Remember, you are quitting tobacco to protect your cardiovascular health.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10124C EN QuittingSmokingForAHealthierHeart.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Quitting Smoking for a Healthier HeartQuitting smoking starts with a commitment to quit. Sure it’s challenging, but the blood vessel damage causedby continuing to smoke cannot be ignored.“When I decided it was time to quick smoking because I had to quit smoking, there is no choice, nodoubt it, there’s no going back.”This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG10124C EN QuittingSmokingForAHealthierHeart.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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Our Member Services team is here to help you understand your benefits, find care, or resolve concerns.
Need support to quit smoking, vaping, or to quit other nicotine products? You can receive support including medicines free of charge:
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Need to find a provider like a Primary Care Physician, Specialist, OB/GYN, or a Psychiatrist?
Learn about healthy ways to quit smoking to control your cholesterol and improve your overall health.
Learn the health, social and financial benefits of quitting tobacco, and identify your own reasons to quit.
Follow this checklist to properly and safely take warfarin.
Learn strategies to help you cope as you replace your habits and crave nicotine.
