Medically Reviewed by S. Cary Huber, MD

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 28.3 million U.S. adults currently smoke cigarettes. Smoking is responsible for about one in four deaths from cardiovascular disease – more than 480,000 per year. McLeod cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Cary Huber explains the dangers of smoking and the long-term effects on the human body. 

“Smokers have a high risk of developing a buildup of a fatty substance called plaque, which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke. Smoking also decreases your tolerance for physical activity and your HDL (good cholesterol).

For non-smokers, it is important to avoid other people’s smoke. About 54% of American children, ages three to 11, are exposed to secondhand smoke. The link between secondhand smoke and heart disease is well-documented.

Heart disease can be prevented and controlled, but the treatment plan from your physician must be followed; quitting smoking is a big part. Smoking is a habit that you can change. It takes retraining yourself to feel normal without cigarettes.”

According to Truth Initiative, 15.4% of South Carolina adults smoked cigarettes in 2022, which is higher than the national average of 14.0%. About 6,300 people become new daily smokers in South Carolina each year. Meanwhile, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reports that commercial tobacco use remains the single largest avoidable risk factor for disease and premature death in the United States and in South Carolina.

The CDC provides excellent resources to help you if you are a smoker and want to quit, including:

• “Quitlines” that provide free coaching over the phone to help you make a plan of action for quitting;
• Information on how to identify and navigate common withdrawal symptoms;
• Guidance on medicines that are available to help you quit smoking for good; and
• Tips for managing urges and cravings when you quit smoking.

Talk to your physician for help and quitting to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.