Nicotine alternatives can help – but pick a safe one “It can be in two months from now, but it gives you a goal and a process to get where you want to be on a certain date,” Dr. If you’re struggling to stop smoking, pick a date in the future that will be the first day of your smoke-free life. The decision to quit smoking doesn’t demand an instant response. “You can start the medications prior to stopping smoking, so that when you stop smoking, those receptors are blunted and you don’t have as many side effects,” Dr. Talk with your primary care provider, who may prescribe these medications. They work by targeting the nicotine receptors in your body to dull the chemical’s effect. Medications are available to help combat the hormonal need for nicotine.
That can be another person going through the same thing who also wants to quit smoking, or someone who is committed to encouraging you. Having someone who will support you and hold you accountable can help you stick it out when things get tough. “If you’re doing it because your family member wants you to stop smoking, researchers have determined that’s not as successful as if you decide for yourself.” Find a partner I need to do this to protect my lungs, to prevent a heart attack,’” Dr. “The first thing is deciding, ‘I need to do this for my overall health. Many people will try to quit, sometimes many times, before they are finally successful.Įvidence shows that the people who are most successful are the ones who are fully committed to quitting for their own reasons, rather than to please someone else. Baman’s tips to quit smoking and protect your heart and body. With the right support, quitting is possible. The addiction is social, hormonal and chemical. Not only are the chemicals in cigarettes addictive, smoking becomes part of a person’s routine that’s difficult to stop. They grow much faster in a person who is smoking,” said Tamir Baman, MD, a cardiologist with OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute.īut quitting is very difficult for many smokers. That’s because everybody has small blockages (buildups of fat and cholesterol) inside their body. 1 reversible risk factor in terms of decreasing heart attacks in the future. Not only does it increase your risk of lung cancer, it’s also a leading cause of heart attacks.
It’s no secret that smoking is dangerous for your health.