Best Docs Network Magazine 2014 Volume 2 - Edition 1 | Page 14

healthy heart He�� He�l�� Break with dr. annie varughese protect Your heart from smoke the Habit Cigarette smoking causes about one in every five deaths in the united States each year. It’s the main preventable cause of death and illness in the united States. Any amount of smoking, even light smoking or occasional smoking, damages the heart and blood vessels. For some people, such as women who use birth control pills and people who have diabetes, smoking poses an even greater risk to the heart and blood vessels. Secondhand smoke can also harm the heart and blood vessels. Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe. In addition, secondhand smoke also refers to smoke that’s breathed out by a person who is smoking. Smokers may ask themselves, “Why quit now?” Well, no matter how old you are or how long you’ve smoked, quitting can help you live longer and be healthier. ex-smokers enjoy a higher quality of life, and they have fewer illnesses like colds and the flu; lower rates of bronchitis and pneumonia; and feel healthier than people who still smoke. WAYS to QuIt SMoKING prescription drugs such as Bupropion (Zyban) or Varenicline (Chantix) nicotine replacement therapy such as a patch, gum, nasal spray, inhalers or lozenges risks of smoking • Smoking is a major risk for Atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries; and Coronary heart Disease, or plaque buildup in the coronary (heart) arteries. • Smoking is a major risk for heart disease which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. • Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 46,000 premature deaths from heart disease each year in the united States. • Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25–30%. • Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 3,400 lung cancer deaths among u.S. nonsmokers each year. • Secondhand smoke contains about 70 cancer-causing chemicals. DR. ANNIE VARUGHESE Interventional Cardiologist Dr. varughese is an avid speaker regarding issues in all aspects of cardiology and holds the title of Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the university of texas Medical School in Houston. advanced cardiovascular care center | (281) 866 - 7701 | 800 peakwood dr., ste. 8c | houston, texas To see all of Dr. Varughese’s Healthy Heart videos , visit www.BestDocsNetwork.com 14 BEST DOCS NETWORK BestDocsNetwork.com