Love Your Heart and Be Tobacco Free

February is American Heart Month, and the perfect time to quit using tobacco.  Smoking harms almost every organ of the body, especially the heart and lungs.  In the United States, cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) is a leading cause of death. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease and stroke and causes one of every four deaths from cardiovascular disease.

Quitting tobacco use has many health benefits, no matter your age or how long you have smoked. Approximately 20 minutes after you smoke your last cigarette, your heart rate drops. Within a few days, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to the level of someone who does not smoke. After 1 to 2 years, your risk of a heart attack is reduced.  These benefits and more continue to increase the longer you stay tobacco free.  In addition, quitting smoking is the best way to protect family and friends from the health risks associated with breathing in secondhand smoke.

The Ohio Department of Health offers a Tobacco Cessation Program based on proven strategies to help you or a loved one quit tobacco.  This is a free service available to all Ohio residents. The Ohio Tobacco Quitline provides personal telephone counseling and coaching to help you live a tobacco-free lifestyle. Nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges are offered FREE of charge for all Ohioans who participate in the program.   There is also a Pregnancy Program available for expecting mothers who are seeking support to quit tobacco use.

You can call the 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to speak with a specialist about starting your new tobacco-free lifestyle. You can also visit their  website at https://ohio.quitlogix.org/en-US.

The Morrow County Health District is dedicated to inspiring a happier, healthier you. Show your heart some love and be tobacco free.