How to Live Longer: Kicking the Smoking Habit Will Add Years to Your Life Expectancy

A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology offers new evidence that cardiovascular improvements are gained by kicking the smoking habit. In spite of an average weight gain of about nine pounds, these ex-smokers' arteries were found to be less constricted, there was better circulation, and cholesterol panels were healthier. These changes are expected to add years to the life expectancy of these "quitters."

There were 1521 study participants, all over the age of 65. Patients were checked before the pre-study to see how relaxed the primary artery in the upper arm was. This test is a good indicator of the ability of the heart arteries to relax and that is a predictor of risk for cardiovascular disease. The same function was rechecked a year after the last smoke. Those who had quit smoking had a 1% improvement in test results, translating to 14% less likelihood of a cardiovascular event like heart attack.

Study participants were followed for 13 years. Survival rates were better even for those who just cut back but did not totally give up the smoking habit. Every five fewer cigarettes smoked each day cuts risk of death by 11%. For patients who had already had a heart attack, those who quit smoking were 37% less likely to die of heart disease than those who continued to smoke after the attack. Smokers who had never had a heart attack had double the risk of dying during the 13 year observation period than those who had never smoked.

During the 13 years these patients were followed, 427 of them died. Continuing the smoking habit posed the greatest risk of death even when other risk factors like lifestyle and general health were considered.

Giving up cigarettes, regardless of cardiovascular history, does as much for heart disease prevention as interventions like improving cholesterol and using aspirin and prescription medications.

Summary

This new evidence confirms the fact that kicking the smoking habit will add years to a person's life expectancy. Quitting improves cholesterol, circulation, and the condition of blood vessels. Giving up smoking does more to extend one's life than other popular interventions such as changing to a low-fat diet, taking aspirin, and taking other medications to prevent heart disease.

No author given. Blood Vessels Bounce Back Once Smokers Quit. Drugs.com

Clair Zakharia. Quit Smoking, Reverse Damage. WGNtv.com

No author given. Quitting Smoking After Heart Attack Extends Lives. Nlm.nih.gov.