Solihull Time 2 Quit Service

Solihull Time 2 Quit Service The affect smoking has upon the heart and health The benefits of quitting and why it is never too late to stop The help and support available to kick the habit

How does smoking affect your heart? When you smoke the chemicals released into your body make your blood sticky This causes fatty deposits, called atheroma, to collect in your arteries. This is called atherosclerosis When too many fatty deposits build up the inside lining of the artery can rupture, which leads to a clot The clot then blocks the flow of blood to the heart, starving it of vital oxygen

Harmful affects of smoking Carbon monoxide joins haemoglobin making it less able to carry oxygen to the heart and other parts of the body When you stop smoking your CO levels drop very quickly In 24 hours your CO levels go back to the level of a non-smoker Nicotine stimulates the body to produce adrenaline which makes the heart beat faster and raises blood pressure – the heart works harder

Smoking and surgery Smoking increases the risk of anaesthesia complications Smokers have slower wound healing Smoking decreases blood flow and limits oxygen to the wound Smokers spend longer in the recovery room and need extra oxygen Smokers have higher chance of of chest infections after surgery

Some facts If you have had a heart attack, continuing to smoke increases your chance of having another heart attack Second hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease Your heart does not receive adequate oxygen, so part of the heart muscle dies = heart attack First heart attacks are likely to occur more often in smokers than non-smokers

Giving up – the good news Around 71% of smokers want to give up Stopping smoking is the single most important thing a smoker can do to avoid having a heart attack IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO STOP Lets look at the benefits..

Benefits of quitting Time Stopped Benefits 20 mins Blood Pressure and pulse returns to normal. Circulation improves, especially to hands and feet 8 hours Blood oxygen levels increase to normal, and your chances of having a heart attack start to fall 24 hours Carbon Monoxide leaves the body. The lungs start to clear mucus and debris. 48 hours Your body is now nicotine free. Your sense of taste and smell begin to improve. 72 hours Breathing is easier, energy levels increase

Benefits of quitting 2-12 weeks Circulation improves throughout the body. Walking and exercise becomes easier. 3-9 months Breathing problems, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing improve. Lung efficiency increases by 5-10%. 5 years Risk of having a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker 10 years Risk of lung cancer falls to around half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to about the same as someone who has never smoked.

Benefits of quitting before surgery Patients who stop smoking six months before operation had a lot less complications than those ho gave up 2 months before Even stopping 12, 24 or 48 hours can decrease some of the risks

Help 2 Quit The most effective way of giving up is to use the Time 2 Quit Service We are a free local NHS service You are 4 times more likely to succeed by using our service The more help and support you can get when it comes to quitting the better Available to anybody living in Solihull who has a Solihull G.P. and is motivated to kick the habit If your GP is out of the Solihull area call UK 0800 1690169

Why use Time 2 Quit? You can also use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or Bupropion (Zyban) to help double your chances of success These help alleviate withdrawal symptoms Quit smoking groups are a great way to quit – you are not alone and have lots of support They are friendly, relaxed and informal The groups and clinics run for 7 weekly sessions, the groups an hour a week and the clinics half an hour appointments We help you stay quit and support you

Where are the groups, one to ones and drop-ins held? Chelmsley Library Norman Green Centre Shirley Community Centre Hobs Moat Craig Croft Sure Start North Solihull Sports Centre Smiths Wood Family Centre Kingshurst Northbrook Clinic Oliver Bird Hall Chelmsley Wood Primary Care Centre To get FREE Advice & Support and to book your place at a Group, One2one or Drop in Clinic Call….. UK 0121 712 8333