People with FH already have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Smoking damages your heart and blood vessels, increasing this risk even more!

Stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your heart and blood vessel health.

Smoking:

  • increases the rate at which LDL cholesterol deposits in the walls of the arteries, speeding up the formation of atheroma/plaque (atherosclerosis). This can cause heart attacks, strokes and other circulation problems.
  • makes your blood more ‘sticky’ so it is more likely to form clots and cause heart attacks and strokes.
  • reduces HDL cholesterol (‘good’ cholesterol).

as well as

  • cigarettes contain nicotine – stimulates your body to produce adrenaline which constricts arteries and increases your blood pressure. High blood pressure damages the walls of the arteries, increasing the risk of plaque formation and therefore atherosclerosis.
  • cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide – carbon monoxide binds to the haemoglobin (normally carries oxygen) and reduces the amount of oxygen reaching tissues.

Passive smoke will also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Within one year of stopping smoking, your heart attack risk is greatly reduced.

Where to get help

  • Your doctor
  • Pharmacist
  • Talk to your family and friends
  • Self-help materials and quit smoking courses
  • Call the Quitline Tel. 13 7848 (13 QUIT) for information and advice.

 

The advice in this website does not replace advice from your GP or healthcare provider.