Smoking and Your Heart

Smoking affects every part of your body, including your heart. Here is some information that we don't always hear.

Women who smoke are 2-6 times more likely to have a heart attack than women who don't smoke. And smoking just 1-4 cigarettes a day can increase your change of having a heart attack by 2-3 times. One study found that 72% of women, who had heart attacks in their 30's, were smokers.

Quitting smoking definitely will reduce your risk. For example: after 1 year of not smoking your risk for developing heart disease decreases by 50% and after 15 years, it is the same as someone who has never smoked.

What can you do? If you smoke, quit. I don't mean just cut down, but completely stop. While there are lots of online resources, you will also find some on OlderWiserWomen for you to get started.

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Barbara C. Phillips, NP