British Heart Foundation: Quitting smoking even in
later life can help stop your life being cut short by cardiovascular
disease (CVD), according to new research. Researchers from the German Cancer Research
Center, analysed data from 25 different studies involving over half a
million people aged 60 and older to see how smoking impacted their risk
of dying prematurely from cardiovascular disease. The results showed smokers were twice as
likely to die from CVD than people who have never smoked, and on average
died more than five years sooner than non-smokers. Their risk increased
the more cigarettes they smoked.
However researchers found that people who quit, even after smoking
past 60, saw their risk of developing cardiovascular disease decreased
notably within the first five years of giving up. Their risk continued
to decrease over time the longer they remained smoke-free.
Christopher Allen, our Senior Cardiac
Nurse, said: “The evidence that smoking causes significant harm to your
heart is overwhelming. This study further emphasises just how important
it is that we do everything in our power to quit.
“Giving up can potentially add years to
your life and, as this research suggests, the benefits can be felt at
any age so it’s never too late to kick the habit.
“If you’d like to quit smoking, speak to
your GP or practice nurse who can offer you guidance and support in how
to give up for good.”