You probably already know that smoking is bad for your lungs. But did you know it is also bad for your heart?
“Nicotine in cigarette smoke is a big part of the problem,” said Kathryn Allman, director of the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition of Choctaw, Montgomery and Webster counties. “Nicotine raises your heart rate and blood pressure. Having hypertension or high blood pressure puts you at great risk for a heart attack.”
Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to address high blood pressure. As of 2020, more than 700,000 adult Mississippians have high blood pressure (hypertension), and thousands more may be at risk. One in three U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren’t aware they have it, therefore they are untreated which is dangerous for a person’s health.
If you need help quitting smoking, Amy Winter, the director of the Office of Tobacco Control at the Mississippi State Department of Health encourages anyone to take advantage of the programs they offer. “There are a few simple steps you can take,” said Amy. “Start by calling the Quitline. Coaches will guide and help you make a plan that you can stick to. Included is a welcome kit, a personalized approach, and texts or emails to help you along the way.”
In addition to quitting smoking, other things can be done to prevent high blood pressure or keep hypertension under control. Stay active and eat wisely for good heart health. If you're under a doctor's care for high blood pressure, remember to take medication as directed. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the ways you can lead a heart-healthy lifestyle.
For information about the dangers of cigarettes, visit www.healthyms.com/tobacco. For help with quitting visit www.quitlinems.com, or call the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline at
1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
