It is generally recognised that smoking is harmful to health. This applies to all forms of tobacco consumption such as vaping, chewing or snuffing.
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for heart health and is therefore more dangerous than obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus or lipometabolic disorders.
But what happens if you take a break from smoking or even give up smoking altogether?
Even smokers who have smoked for years experience a positive effect. After just five smoke-free years, the risk of dying from a heart attack is reduced by almost half. Lung capacity can increase by up to 30 % after just three months.
Statistically speaking, life is extended by three years if smoking is stopped from the age of 60. Quitting from the age of 50 extends life by six years and from the age of 40 by nine years.
Our body can regenerate itself to a certain extent. A real feat.
So pause for a moment. Ask yourself why you smoke. What motives, motivations and needs are behind it? Are there alternatives or other ways for you to distract yourself? If necessary, seek support from family, friends, counselling centres or your family doctor.
Further information on the subject of smoking and heart health can be found on the homepage of the German Heart Foundation (Deutsche Herzstiftung e.V.): Quit smoking: How to make it work! | German Heart Foundation