The Great American Smokeout with Nurse Lauren

Hi there, Nurse Lauren here. Tomorrow is The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. This national awareness day happens the third Thursday in November every year. Quitting smoking is one of the top three things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Your heart is one of your most important muscles and it is vital to keep it healthy so you keep YOU healthy.

Quitting smoking can be very hard. It’s important to take it one day at a time.  If you have been thinking about quitting why not use tomorrow as the day to start?  Over 32 million Americans smoke, despite it being the largest preventable cause of death and illness. 1 out of every 5 deaths (approximately 480,000) are smoking related.

For over 40 years The American Cancer Society (@AmericanCancer) has hosted the Great American Smokeout to encourage smokers to collectively take the step to quit the habit. Research shows that those who are the most successful at quitting for good do so when they have supports such as telephone quit-lines, American Cancer Society Freshstart Program, Nicotine Anonymous meetings, self-help books and materials, smoking counselors or coaches and encouragement and support from friends and family members.

For help in your quest to quit here are some resources: How to Quit Smoking or Smokeless Tobacco, American Cancer Society Position Statement on Electronic Cigarettes and Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time. Not a smoker but trying to support someone close to you? Helping a Smoker Quit: Do’s and Don’ts

Quitting has immediate and long term beneficial effects. Being smoke free for only twelve hours and the carbon monoxide level in your blood will drop to normal. Within three months of quitting, your circulation improves and your lung function increases. When you make it one year without a cigarette, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of someone who still smokes which causes your heart attack risk to drop dramatically. Going 15 years smoke free and your risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s.

Remember that being smoke free is one of the top ways to keep your heart healthy. Check out my Healthy Heart Infographic below with all the heart statistics you need:

This is Nurse Lauren, contributor of NursesNOW, signing off with information on tomorrow’s Great American Smokeout. If you are a smoker – make tomrorow the day you start your smoke-free life! Heart health is a major factor in a healthy lifestyle.

ICYMI – My other Blog posts, plus Nurses NOW Weekly Roundups and Friday Fives.