If you're a smoker, stopping smoking is the single most important step you can take to protect the health of your heart.
Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack compared with people who have never smoked.
Stopping smoking has huge benefits and it’s never too late to give up.
Why should I quit?
Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health, and the good news is that the risk to your heart health decreases significantly soon after you stop.
By quitting you’ll be improving your own health by dramatically reducing your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers. You’ll feel better, and have more money to spend on other things that you enjoy.
How does smoking damage your heart?
Smoking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, which includes coronary heart disease and stroke.
Smoking damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a build up of fatty material (atheroma) which narrows the artery. This can cause angina, a heart attack or a stroke.
The carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood. This means your heart has to pump harder to supply the body with the oxygen it needs.
The nicotine in cigarettes stimulates your body to produce adrenaline, which makes your heart beat faster and raises your blood pressure, making your heart work harder.
Your blood is more likely to clot, which increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Take a look at our cardiovascular disease page to find out more about blood clots and the damage they can do to your body.
Second-hand smoke
When non-smokers breathe in second-hand smoke - also known as passive smoking - it can be harmful.
Research shows that exposure to second hand tobacco smoke is a cause of heart disease in non-smokers, which means you could be harming the health of your children, partner and friends.
The dangers of chewing tobacco
Chewing tobacco is not a healthier alternative to smoking; it can increase your risk of mouth cancer, throat cancer and cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe). It can also make your teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay and can cause tooth loss.
