Smoking, heart disease and stroke

Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have many negative health effects that increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Smoking contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, increases the risk of blood clots, reduces the oxygen in your blood, increases your blood pressure and makes your heart work harder. Smoking also nearly doubles the risk of ischemic stroke.

Did you know?

Being smoke-free has enormous benefits for your health and the health of the people around you. More than 47,000 Canadians will die prematurely each year due to tobacco use, and almost 8,000 non-smokers die each year from exposure to second-hand smoke.

The good news

Once you become smoke-free and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke, you will immediately reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. The sooner you become smoke-free, the sooner your body can start to recover and it doesn't take long to see the effects.

• Within 48 hours, your chances of having a heart attack start to go down and your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
• Within 1 year, your risk of suffering a smoking-related heart attack is cut in half.
• Within 15 years, your risk of heart attack is the same as someone who never smoked at all.

Becoming smoke-free

If you've been thinking about quitting, then you're one step closer to becoming smoke-free. But it can be difficult to change a habit that you've had for years. We'll help you get started with some tips, quizzes and tools, and we'll point you to the support resources you'll need to help you go smoke-free for life.

Tips for becoming smoke-free

• Identify your smoking triggers.  Figure out when you tend to smoke. Is it when you have a coffee or go out for a drink with friends, or when you're stressed? Identifying your triggers is one of the most important steps to becoming smoke-free.
• Break the connection, break the habit.  Once you can identify your triggers, you'll be better able to break the connection between smoking and your routines. So, when you feel the need to smoke, stop and ask yourself if you really need this cigarette, or if you can wait and do something else. Try to delay smoking by keeping your hands and mouth busy – drink water, brush your teeth, snack on carrot or celery sticks, or take a walk.
• Set a quit date.  If you are ready to quit, set a date now, write it down and tell a friend or family member you've decided to become smoke-free.
• Make your home and car smoke-free zones.  The more difficult you make it for yourself and others to smoke, the less you will. Cut down on your opportunities to smoke and you'll be able to gradually reduce the cigarettes you smoke each day, which will help reduce your dependence.
• Ask for help.  Becoming smoke-free can be difficult, so don't be afraid to ask for help and support from family, friends and your healthcare provider.

For more information about quit smoking, call Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or visit the Smokers’ Helpline Online program.

You can also call Health Canada’s 1-800 Quit Lines or visit the Health Canada and search “quit smoking”.

For more information on this issue, read the Heart and Stroke Foundation position statement on Becoming or Remaining Smoke-Free and read our brochure Just Breathe: Becoming and Remaining Smoke Free.

Last reviewed December 2009.