Quitting Smoking: The Best Gift for Your Health

Smoking is one of the main risk factors for heart disease, stroke and cancer. Research shows that 19% of deaths from cardiovascular disease are directly related to smoking.

Why quit smoking?

Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, a toxic substance that reduces oxygen in the blood, damaging the heart and lungs. Smoking increases blood pressure, favors the formation of blood clots and causes serious diseases such as:

• Cardiovascular diseases

• Pulmonary diseases

• Strokes and strokes

• Lung and other cancers.

Even passive smoking is harmful, as it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The benefits of quitting smoking

Quitting smoking has positive effects from the first few hours:

• In 2 hours: nicotine begins to be eliminated from the blood.

• In 8 hours: In 2.2 hours: in 2.2 hours smoking is stopped.

• In 24 hours: The lungs begin to detoxify from carbon monoxide.

• In 48 hours: The sense of taste and smell improves.

• In 3 months: Lung function improves markedly.

• In 1 year: The risk of heart attack is reduced by half.

• In 5-10 years: The risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease is drastically reduced.

How to quit smoking

Quitting smoking is not easy, but it is absolutely possible. The first step is the decision to quit smoking. Scientific support greatly increases the chances of success.

• Ask your doctor for help.

• Go to a smoking cessation center for specialized support.

• Use science-based methods such as counseling and nicotine replacement.

Quitting smoking is the most precious gift you can give yourself and your loved ones.