Smoking is responsible for about 1 in 4 deaths from cardiovascular disease. The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your blood cells and damage the function of your heart and blood vessels.
How Smoking Damages Your Heart
Carbon Monoxide: Replaces oxygen in your blood, making your heart work harder to deliver oxygen.
Nicotine: Raises blood pressure and heart rate, constricts blood vessels.
Tar & Chemicals: Promote plaque buildup in arteries, increase blood clotting.
The Good News: Recovery Timeline
| After Quitting | Health Benefit |
|---|---|
| 20 minutes | Heart rate drops to normal |
| 1 year | Heart attack risk drops by 50% |
| 5 years | Stroke risk equals non-smoker |
| 15 years | Heart disease risk equals non-smoker |
Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart. Dr. Deebanshu Gupta can help you with a personalized quit plan.
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