smoking cessation Archives

Smoking And Cardiovascular Disease

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

Smoking tobacco products can lead to adverse effects on our cardiovascular health; it is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

The chemicals inhaled when smoking cigarettes can affect the way our cardiovascular systems function in several ways. This includes:

Damaging blood vessels
Causing the thickening and narrowing of blood vessels
Causing a rise in blood pressure
Causing an increase in heart rate
Increasing the risk of blood clots
Creating a buildup of plaque in the arteries
Reducing the supply of oxygen used by the body
Reducing the HDL or good cholesterol in the body

Furthermore, smoking tobacco can lead to the development of life-threatening cardiovascular complications such as:

Stroke
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Atherosclerosis
Heart Attack

Smoking is the most preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and complications caused by CVD. You can protect and improve your heart health by quitting smoking. Studies show that smokers can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease immediately after quitting. Additionally, the risk for heart attack greatly decreases one year after quitting smoking, and within five years of quitting, a smoker can reduce the risk for stroke.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s smoking cessation team wants to help you develop a plan leading to your “quit day”. Flushing Hospital has partnered with the American Lung Association to bring you Freedom from Smoking, a comprehensive and successful group-based smoking cessation program.

For more information about smoking cessation programs or to register for our program, call: 718 206 8494

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Smoking Cessation Tips- Helping You Quit

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

Smoking cigarettes is one of the leading causes of multiple diseases and premature deaths in the United States today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 16 million Americans are living with smoking-related diseases and an estimated 480,000 deaths will occur each year as a result of smoking.

Smoking cigarettes affects many aspects of health. Direct association has been established between smoking and cancers of the lung, mouth, nose, throat, larynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, stomach, pancreas, cervix, bladder, kidney and blood.

Many lung conditions are either caused or aggravated by cigarette smoke. It irritates bronchial airways and stimulates mucous production leading to decreased elasticity and functional failure. Patients suffering from COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema have a much higher risk of dying when repeatedly exposed to smoke.

Smokers are also at greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Smoking damages blood vessels, making them stiff and narrow. This can obstruct blood flow which may result in elevated blood pressure, heart attacks or strokes.

Smoking tobacco is an addiction similar to heroin and cocaine. It can be successfully treated, however, majority of cases require three and more attempts.

Studies have shown that these five, common sense steps, provide the best chance for quitting smoking for good:

1. Get ready: set a quit date and throw out all cigarettes and ashtrays from your home.

2. Get support: tell your family, friends and doctor about quitting plans; search the internet for advice.

3. Learn new behaviors: distract yourself from the urge to smoke; exercise or go for a walk.

4. Get medication: combining medication like nicotine patches with behavioral adaptation and family support quadruples your chances of success.

5. Be prepared for relapse and difficult situations- most people try to quit a few times before succeeding.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center provides extensive assistance for people willing to quit smoking. We offer a free smoking cessation support group every Wednesday. The hospital also offers one-on-one sessions, both in person or by phone. For more information please call, 718-206-8494.

How Much You Can Save by Quitting Smoking

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Xavia Malcolm

Quitting smoking enriches your life in several ways. One of the major benefits of quitting is improving your health; another great benefit is saving money.

On average, a pack of cigarettes in New York costs $13. While this may not seem like a lot, it does add up and can become expensive. Quitting can help you to save and apply your money towards other items or goals. Here is an example of how much you can potentially save over time and a few ideas of how you could spend the extra money.

The journey to quit smoking can be difficult but you do not have to do it alone. Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s smoking cessation team wants to help you to develop a plan leading to your “quit day”. The hospital has partnered with the American Lung Association to bring you Freedom from Smoking, a comprehensive and successful group-based smoking cessation program. Learn how to overcome your addiction to tobacco and enjoy the benefits of better health in a fun and interactive environment. Receive personalized attention as well as the support from group members who are experiencing this journey with you. For more information, please call 718 206 8494.

Today is the Great American Smokeout – Quit Smoking Today!

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Michael Hinck

Today is the Great American Smokeout, an annual event when the American Cancer Society encourages everyone to quit smoking. This event helps to make people aware of the dangers of using tobacco products as well as the tools that are available to help them quit smoking.

The Great American Smokeout started in 1970 in a small town in Massachusetts. People were asked to give up smoking for one day and to take the money that they would have spent on cigarettes and donate it to a local high school scholarship fund. The event spread to other cities both large and small and eventually led to legislation that bans smoking in workplaces, restaurants, and other public spaces both indoors and outdoors.

Smoking is responsible for one in five deaths in the United States today. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Smoking is also the cause of cancer of the larynx, mouth, sinuses, throat, esophagus, and the bladder. The number of people who smoke has dramatically decreased in the United States since the anti-smoking campaigns began. In 1965 it was estimated that over 40 percent of the population were smokers and today that number is around 18 percent.

Smokers have the best chances of quitting if they use at least two of the following methods:

• Smoking Cessation Groups
• Nicotine substitute products
• Support from family and friends
• Telephone quit lines
• Counseling
• Prescription medications that help to reduce the urge to smoke

If you would like more information about quitting smoking please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital to discuss smoking cessation, please call 718-206-8494.

Who Should Be Screened for Lung Cancer?

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

Many people who have smoked tobacco for an extended period of time often wonder if they should get screened for lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, if you fall under the category of a “high-risk patient,” it is recommended that you speak to your doctor about receiving lung cancer screening.

Patients who are at a high risk of developing lung cancer are defined as those who:

Have a history of heavy smoking( having smoked the equivalent of pack a day for 30 years)
Are between 55 and 80 years old (https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/screening.htm)
Currently smokes or have quit within the past 15 years

One of the greatest benefits of screening is it can allow doctors to detect cancer in its early stages, when it is easier to treat and the chance for a cure is greater. In a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, “screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) resulted in a 20% reduction in lung-cancer mortality,” in high-risk patients (http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1301851)

The most recommended and effective tool utilized for lung cancer screening is low-dose computed tomography or low-dose CT scan. It is currently recognized as the only tool that is effective in reducing the risk of lung cancer-related deaths in high-risk patient populations. While effective, there are complications that could result from repeated screenings such as receiving false positive results.

In addition to receiving screenings one of the best things you can do for your lungs’ health as a smoker is to quit smoking. It is never too late to quit.

If you believe you are a candidate for lung cancer screening, it is important to speak with your doctor about all the risks and benefits. To learn more about lung cancer, please visit www.medisyscares.org or https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer.html.

Now That You’ve Quit Smoking –How Do You Resist Temptation?

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

Congratulations, you have quit smoking. You have accomplished a major milestone in your journey to achieving good health. A challenge you may face after your Quit Day is remaining tobacco free by resisting the temptation to smoke again. Coping with tobacco cravings can be difficult; however, by applying the following tips you can decrease the urge to smoke:

Remove yourself from situations that may trigger the urge to smoke
Spend free time in environments where smoking is not allowed
Reduce alcohol consumption
Create or join a support group
Think about how harmful tobacco is to your health
Think about the health benefits you will gain by remaining smoke free
Try nicotine replacements such as gum, patches or prescription medications
Do not have just one cigarette to satisfy a craving- one cigarette will make you want more
If you miss the feeling of having a cigarette in your mouth try a toothpick, a stick of gum, celery -anything besides a cigarette
Exercise
Practice relaxation techniques
Give yourself credit for each day you are tobacco free
Envision being tobacco free long-term

Quitting smoking and remaining smoke free can be difficult and requires a life-long commitment but the benefits to your health are immeasurable.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers a Freedom from Smoking Tobacco Cessation Program to help you overcome your addiction to tobacco and enjoy the benefits of better health in a fun and interactive environment. Receive personalized attention as well as the support from group members who are experiencing this journey with you. For more information, please call 718-206-8494.

An Overview on The Hazards of Smoking

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

Tobacco is the single greatest cause of multiple diseases and premature deaths in the United States today. It kills more Americans each year than alcohol, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car accidents, fire and AIDS combined. There are an estimated 480,000 deaths in the United States annually that are attributed to tobacco use. It is the only legal consumer product that is lethal when used exactly as recommended by the manufacturer.

Smoking cigarettes affect many aspects of health. Tobacco smoke contains about 7000 chemicals, including low concentrations of such strong poisons as ammonia, cyanide, arsenic and formaldehyde. It also contains 69 carcinogens – substances that are known to cause cancers in humans. Direct association has been established between smoking and cancers of the lung, mouth, nose, throat, larynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, stomach, pancreas, cervix, bladder, kidney and blood.
In the United States, illnesses caused by smoking cost more than 300 billion dollars per year in direct medical care and lost productivity. Smokers pay twice as much for life insurance and will die on average of 13-14 years earlier than non-smokers. It costs tobacco companies approximately five cents to produce a pack of cigarettes.

Many lung conditions are either caused or aggravated by cigarette smoke. It irritates bronchial airways and stimulates mucous production leading eventually to decreased elasticity and functional failure. Patients suffering from COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema have a much higher risk of dying when repeatedly exposed to smoke.

Smokers are also at greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Smoking damages blood vessels making them stiff and narrow, obstructing blood flow which results in elevated blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure or chronic skin changes.

Pregnant women exposed to tobacco smoke have an increased risk of complications such as miscarriage, premature birth, and brain and lung damage to developing fetus. Sudden infant death syndrome is three times more likely if the mother smoked during pregnancy.

Smoking tobacco is an addiction similar to heroin and cocaine. It can be successfully treated but the majority of cases require three or more attempts. Quitting smoking offers a chance of feeling better and living longer. Studies have shown that these five, common sense steps, provide the best chance for quitting smoking for good:

1. Get ready: set a quit date and throw out all cigarettes and ashtrays from your home.

2. Get support: tell your family, friends and doctor about quitting plans; search the internet for advice.

3. Learn new behaviors: distract yourself from the urge to smoke; exercise or go for a walk.

4. Get medication: combining medication like nicotine patches or Zyban with behavioral adaptation and family support quadruples your chances of success.

5. Be prepared for relapse and difficult situations- most people try to quit a few times before succeeding.

If you would like to learn more about quitting smoking, please call 718-670-5000