Smoking kills your heart
Nov 16, 2004
Total abstinence from smoking has been cited as the ultimate solution to prevention of acquired heart diseases related to tobacco use.
By Fred Nangoli
Total abstinence from smoking has been cited as the ultimate solution to prevention of acquired heart diseases related to tobacco use.
According to Dr Tom Mwambu, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago, heart diseases have been noted to be on the increase with ischaemic heart disease accounting for a larger proportion of heart diseases than it did five years ago.
“Although the tobacco industry argues that cigarette smoking is not a primary channel for heart disease, it has been shown through many studies that cigarette smoking is an aggravating factor for heart disease through causation of atherosclerosis,†Mwambu said.
Atherosclerosis is the thickening of the inner walls of the blood vessels and accumulation of lipid or ‘fat’.
“Whereas man has been smoking cigarettes for centuries, it is only recently that the public has been made sufficiently aware cigarette smoking is a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease,†he added.
Mwambu said there was evidence even men who, had only smoked for a short period due to peer influence also face the risk of getting ischaemic heart disease.
“Ex-smokers tend to have higher rates of ischaemic heart disease, more closely linked to their duration of previous cigarette smoking.â€
“It has been shown that giving up smoking leads to a rapid decline in the risk of ischaemic heart disease,†Mwambu added.
He said the number of years a man had been smoking may be the best measure of the risk of ischaemic heart disease, irrespective of the number of years since giving up smoking.
“It is important that individuals do not start smoking. Those already smoking should give up as soon as possible or cut down on their consumption of cigarettes if they are unable to stop.â€
He said Ugandans should begin to look at cigarette smoking and use of tobacco as a serious issue.
“Parents who smoke must stop the habit, not only for the safety of their children’s health, but also for their own,†he said.
Mwambu noted that there is a high likelihood that children of smokers take up the habit of smoking.
“It is advisable that parents who wish to smoke should do so in the absence of their children.
This may help curb smoking among children and adolescents hence protecting them from early development of ischaemic heart disease,†Mwambu said.
Total abstinence from smoking has been cited as the ultimate solution to prevention of acquired heart diseases related to tobacco use.
According to Dr Tom Mwambu, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago, heart diseases have been noted to be on the increase with ischaemic heart disease accounting for a larger proportion of heart diseases than it did five years ago.
“Although the tobacco industry argues that cigarette smoking is not a primary channel for heart disease, it has been shown through many studies that cigarette smoking is an aggravating factor for heart disease through causation of atherosclerosis,†Mwambu said.
Atherosclerosis is the thickening of the inner walls of the blood vessels and accumulation of lipid or ‘fat’.
“Whereas man has been smoking cigarettes for centuries, it is only recently that the public has been made sufficiently aware cigarette smoking is a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease,†he added.
Mwambu said there was evidence even men who, had only smoked for a short period due to peer influence also face the risk of getting ischaemic heart disease.
“Ex-smokers tend to have higher rates of ischaemic heart disease, more closely linked to their duration of previous cigarette smoking.â€
“It has been shown that giving up smoking leads to a rapid decline in the risk of ischaemic heart disease,†Mwambu added.
He said the number of years a man had been smoking may be the best measure of the risk of ischaemic heart disease, irrespective of the number of years since giving up smoking.
“It is important that individuals do not start smoking. Those already smoking should give up as soon as possible or cut down on their consumption of cigarettes if they are unable to stop.â€
He said Ugandans should begin to look at cigarette smoking and use of tobacco as a serious issue.
“Parents who smoke must stop the habit, not only for the safety of their children’s health, but also for their own,†he said.
Mwambu noted that there is a high likelihood that children of smokers take up the habit of smoking.
“It is advisable that parents who wish to smoke should do so in the absence of their children.
This may help curb smoking among children and adolescents hence protecting them from early development of ischaemic heart disease,†Mwambu said.