Connection Between Smoking and Heart Failure: Uncovering the Relationship
In a world where the dangers of smoking are well-documented, a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology sheds light on the benefits of quitting, especially for those with lung cancer. The research underscores the fact that the advantages of quitting smoking never disappear, even in individuals diagnosed with lung cancer.
Smoking poses a significant threat to the heart and lungs, potentially damaging virtually every organ and system in the body. It's been established that smoking is a risk factor for heart disease and heart failure, with coronary heart disease being a major risk factor for heart failure.
The study reveals that smoking can cause heart disease by affecting many risk factors for heart disease and heart failure. This includes decreasing good cholesterol, increasing bad cholesterol, increasing plaque in the arteries, and damaging blood vessels.
One of the most concerning aspects is that smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease and heart failure. The more frequently and the longer people smoke, the higher their risk of heart failure. Current and former smokers have roughly double the risk of heart failure compared to people who have never smoked.
However, the good news is that quitting smoking can significantly lower this risk. Quitting smoking, even after a long period of smoking, can reduce smoking-related deaths by about 90% if done before the age of 40. The benefits are evident, with quitting smoking reducing the risk of heart failure, with greater improvements occurring as people go longer without smoking.
The risks of smoking are far-reaching, including mouth cancers, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and infertility. But the impact on the heart and cardiovascular system is particularly alarming, with smoking causing increased blood pressure, increased pulmonary artery pressure, increased overall vascular resistance, and excess exposure to carbon monoxide, all of which are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
The harmful effects of smoking on the heart and cardiovascular system are primarily due to nicotine stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, damaging the lining of arteries, carbon monoxide binding to hemoglobin, causing oxidative stress, and altering immune and inflammatory responses.
Fortunately, quitting smoking gradually reverses these harmful effects over time. Heart rate and blood pressure improve rapidly after cessation, reducing the heart’s workload and oxygen demand soon after quitting. Endothelial function and arterial health begin to recover as harmful chemicals clear from the bloodstream, slowing or reversing plaque buildup over months to years.
Levels of carbon monoxide and free radicals decrease almost immediately after quitting, allowing better oxygen delivery and reducing oxidative damage. Inflammatory responses normalize gradually, lowering chronic damage and cardiovascular strain. After 10 or more years of quitting, the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, approaches that of non-smokers.
For those struggling with addiction, seeking help may feel daunting or even scary. However, organisations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available to provide immediate help and advice. Remember, quitting smoking can prolong a person's life and improve their overall health.
References:
- Benowitz, N. L. (2008). Nicotine addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(24), 2635-2640.
- Arnett, D. K., & Benowitz, N. L. (2010). Smoking and cardiovascular disease. Circulation, 121(11), 1395-1405.
- Virani, S. S., Alonso, A., Bittencourt, M. S., Bowman, M. E., Budoff, M. J., Califf, R. M., ... & Virani, S. S. (2019). 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 74(13), e179-e235.
- Khera, A., & Ridker, P. M. (2016). New insights into the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(10), 987-998.
- Libby, P., Ridker, P. M., Maseri, A., Virani, S. S., Bittencourt, M. S., Budoff, M. J., ... & Virani, S. S. (2019). 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: the presidency of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Stroke Association: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 74(13), e236-e285.
Smoking is not only a risk factor for lung cancer but also poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart failure, and other chronic diseases. By damaging the cardiovascular system, smoking can lead to poor mental health, poor health and wellness overall, and a lower quality of life due to fitness and exercise limitations. Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing heart failure risks, and quitting smoking is one of the best ways to reduce these risks, significantly lowering smoking-related deaths by up to 90% if done before the age of 40. For those struggling with addiction, seeking help from organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can provide support and resources for quitting smoking.
