There are definitely inspiring stories out there! Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do, but people with heart disease have done it and seen real improvements in their health.
Members of MyHeartDiseaseTeam have shared their own journeys with quitting smoking, and the common thread is that it's tough but Show Full Answer
There are definitely inspiring stories out there! Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do, but people with heart disease have done it and seen real improvements in their health.
Members of MyHeartDiseaseTeam have shared their own journeys with quitting smoking, and the common thread is that it's tough but absolutely worth it. Here are some encouraging takeaways:
- One MyHeartDiseaseTeam member quit cold turkey and said they only wished they had done it sooner
- Another member quit back in 1989 and hasn't touched a cigarette since, despite it being a real struggle at the time
- Many members found that leaning on loved ones for support made a huge difference The good news is that the body starts healing surprisingly quickly after quitting. Heart disease risk linked to smoking begins dropping shortly after the last cigarette, and it keeps improving over time.
Some helpful strategies that have worked for people include:
- Nicotine replacement options like patches or gum
- Setting a specific quit date and sticking to a plan
- Finding healthy distractions like walking or picking up a new hobby
- Avoiding triggers that spark the urge to smoke
It's never too late to quit, no matter how long someone has smoked. Talking to a doctor for extra support is always a great first step!
May 12
Join
Your Privacy Choices
