Smoking Cessation

Smoking and tobacco use is likely the single highest risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and a variety of other illnesses - especially cancer. The national cancer institute estimates that almost half a million deaths in the US each year are caused by smoking. 10% of these are due to secondhand smoke exposure.

• Smokers are 6 times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than non-smokers.
• Almost 1 in 5 Americans are smokers. 1 in 6 high school seniors are smokers.
• Smoking raises blood pressure, increases bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, and accelerates blockage formation in arteries throughout the body

UR Medicine’s Center for Community Health & Prevention offers one-on-one smoking cessation support

Symptoms

Smokers complain of many symptoms, most commonly:

• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Chest pain
• Leg pain when walking or especially climbing stairs

Cessation Therapy Options

• Counseling
• Nicotine replacement (nicotine lozenges, gum, sprays or inhalers; e-cigarettes; patches)
• Bupropion (also called Wellbutrin or Zyban) - pill to curb cravings/psychological dependence on cigarettes
• Varenicline (also called Chantix) - pill to curb cravings/psychological dependence on cigarettes

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For Additional Information

• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Managing Heart Disease