You have just had a heart attack and survived. After experiencing a heart attack, it is probably not something you would want to go through again. Reducing your risk of another episode and working your way toward improved health will require commitment, discipline, and some sacrifices. One such sacrifice is quitting smoking.

Why quit smoking after a heart attack? Continuing to smoke doubles your risk of having a second heart attack. If you think it is too late to quit, realize that your risk of a heart attack is already lowered just 24 hours after quitting.

What Smoking Does to Your Heart

So how does smoking affect your heart? Smoking contributes to a condition called atherosclerosis. This is when fatty substances build up in your arteries. This build-up causes the passageways in the arteries to narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow to the heart. Blood carries oxygen to different organs in the body, including the heart. Less blood reaching the heart mean less oxygen for the heart, which can lead to serious conditions, such as another heart attack.

Other Health Problems

Aside from atherosclerosis, smoking also puts you at risk for other serious conditions. Here are just some of the ways smoking can negatively affect your health. Smoking can:

• Decrease your HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or "good" cholesterol levels
• Increase your blood pressure and heart rate
• Increase your risk of conditions, such as:
  • Lung cancer
  • Throat cancer
  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • Emphysema
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Ulcer
  • Gum disease
• Decrease your ability to tolerate exercise and other physical activities
• Increase your risk of coronary artery disease after a bypass surgery
• Increase your chance of becoming sick in general

Smoking not only affects your health, it can also endanger the health of others. People who are frequently around secondhand smoke are at risk for the same health conditions that threaten smokers, like cancer and heart disease. Secondhand smoke can also lead to chronic breathing conditions, like asthma, especially in children.

What Quitting Can Do for You

In addition to lowering your chance of another heart attack, here are other health benefits of quitting smoking:

Ready to Quit?

If you are ready to quit smoking, talk with your doctor about the best approach for you. Approaches may include trying different ways to fight cravings, taking smoking cessation medicines, and meeting with a support group or counselor. There may be several or a combination of approaches you will use before finding what works for you. But it is important that you take the initiative to quit and not give up. Doing so will ensure that your first heart attack is your last.