Quitting smoking: be careful after a heart attack

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MunichExtra pounds from quitting smoking - this is what many former smokers struggle with. After a heart attack, however, these pounds become a problem. Because being overweight promotes the development of other diseases. Canadian researchers report that the positive effect of quitting smoking could be nullified for heart attack patients.

Nine weeks of smoking cessation after a heart attack

A research team led by Sonia Grandi from McGill University in Montreal evaluated the data of 179 smokers who had suffered a heart attack in the past. All participants had given themselves nine weeks of smoking cessation after the incident. After that, all participants came regularly for follow-up examinations over a period of one year. 92 had completely quit smoking, 49 were still smoking occasionally and 38 were taking up the smoldering stick again on a regular basis. The scientists investigated how quitting smoking affected the weight of the test subjects and thus also the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.

Less cigarettes, more pounds

The result: After twelve months, those who quit smoking completely had gained the most weight - an average of 4.8 kilos.Occasional smokers weighed two kilos after a year and regular smokers three kilos more. Overall, the proportion of obese patients rose by ten percent - the body mass index climbed one category in almost a quarter. The consequences of the extra pounds made themselves felt in many patients after only twelve months through high blood pressure and diabetes. These diseases are, in turn, additional risk factors for a heart attack, as they damage the blood vessels.

Quitting smoking is not enough

Keeping your hands off the glowing sticks and focusing on smoking cessation is not enough for heart attack patients, according to the researchers. You should also watch out for your weight after quitting smoking. In this way, the positive effects of not smoking would not be negated by the negative effects of weight gain.

Lethal cigarettes

The reasons for weight gain after quitting smoking can be varied. They range from an altered metabolism to substitute gratifications such as snacking. Still, it is worth quitting smoking. Because they are not only expensive and stinky, they are also absolutely poisonous. In Germany alone, around 110,000 to 140,000 people die every year as a result of smoking. On average, life is shortened by ten years. (jb)

Source: Grandi S et al. Weight Change in Patients Attempting to Quit Smoking Post- Myocardial Infarction. The American Journal of Medicine. 04/04/2014.

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