Tobacco Use And Exposure - Recognizing And Reducing Risk Factors: Heart Disease

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Tobacco use and exposure

Everyone knows that smoking is a major health hazard: It's the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. But some people may be surprised to learn that smoking is also one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease. People who smoke are two to three times as likely to die from heart disease as nonsmokers. Passive exposure to other people's smoke also puts you at risk.

In all, about one in three smoking-related deaths is from coronary artery disease. But quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk. Within a year of quitting, smokers can cut their heart disease risk in half. In 15 years, the coronary artery risk for a former smoker is very close to that of a person who never smoked. One possible reason for this decrease in risk is that smoking probably contributes to blood vessel inflammation; removing that irritant should slow the inflammatory process. (For tips on how to kick the habit, see "Stop smoking.")

Last updated:	May 03, 2007