Stress, Smoking and Heart Disease

A stress smoker is someone who lights up a cigarette to calm down during a period of sadness, nervousness, anxiousness and stress. When smoking, it may make you think you feel calmer, but ironically, it actually increases the level of stress in your body and might cause your blood pressure/ heart rate to increase; tensed muscles; constricted blood vessels or a decrease in oxygen for the brain and body to facilitate healthily.

In the long run, nicotine might damage your blood vessels, cause plaque to build up in your arteries, and lead to heart disease.

You can opt for a healthier way to cope with stress by picking up one of the following strategies:

• Practise deep breathing and meditation
• Take a walk
• Practice yoga or tai chi
• Talk to someone you trust

It is important to care for your heart by dropping that cigarette today!