Women and Smoking Cessation
Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease (blockages in the vessels in the legs) and stroke
by causing blockages in the arteries. Some of the ways that smoking
causes blockages include increasing blood pressure, increasing the
clotting of blood and lowering HDL (good cholesterol). Women who smoke
and use birth control pills have an even higher chance of developing
heart disease, stroke, or other blood clots. Second hand smoke has also
been shown to be a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Non-smokers
living with smokers have about a 25-30 percent higher risk of
developing heart disease and are at higher risk for stroke. Second hand
smoke is especially risky for children and babies. Second hand smoke
has been shown to cause low birth weight babies, sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS), lung infections, asthma, and ear infections. The best
way to reduce the risks associated with smoking is to quit. Varies
methods are available to help people who are having trouble quitting.
These methods include:
- Nicotine patches/gum/inhalers
- Medications
- Stop smoking clinics and support groups
A
smokers risk of heart disease decreases quickly after 1 year of not
smoking, Within two to six years, the risk of developing heart disease
may return to a level similar to non-smokers.
How to Stop
Carol Southard, R.N., M.S., Smoking Cessation Specialist for Wellness Institute,
leads both group and individual smoking cessation programs to help
smokers to stop smoking. To sign-up for a group program call (877) 926-4NMH (4664). To sign-up for an individual program, call (312) 926-2069.
Kim R. Lebowitz, PhD, director of Cardiac Behavioral Medicine
service, and Gail M. Osterman, PhD offer both group and individual smoking cessation programs to
help smokers to stop smoking. For more information or to schedule an
appointment, call (312) 695-4965.
Review Date: 08/06
