Smoking: The Fast Track to a Heart Attack

Counting on estrogen to keep heart disease at bay?

Better think again!

A new study reveals women who smoke have heart attacks more than a decade earlier than those who don’t smoke.

Most women think estrogen protects them from a heart attack until very late in life, but a study presented to the European Society of Cardiology, indicates smoking takes away the estrogen advantage. “Smoking might erase the natural advantage that women have,” said Dr. Robert Harrington, a professor of medicine at Duke University and spokesman for the American College of Cardiology.

Which means if you combine smoking with any other risk factor and you should be very concerned.

• Researchers found women who smoke have heart attacks 12 to 15 years earlier than women who don’t smoke.
• Women who live or work with smokers are also at risk for earlier heart attacks.
• In addition, if women compound smoking by taking hormone based birth control (the pill, patch, or ring) their risk for heart attack and stroke increases exponentially.

What can you do?

If you smoke, quit. The benefits begin the first day you quit — find resources to help you quit here.

Support Smoking Bans: Keeping indoor air free of smoke works. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported a significant reduction in Emergency Room visits for chest pain after a smoking ban is put in place.

If you live in Wisconsin please join my family in support of the Breathe Free Wisconsin Act. Visit MySmokeFreeStory.com and find out how you can help. (In fact, if you are driving between Madison and Milwaukee during the week of September 15, 2008 — check out the girls and I on a billboard — yep, I said billboard, near the Johnson Creek exit) Here’s a preview:

If you live elsewhere join the efforts of Tobacco Free Kids and the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure Network.

Talk with your doctor. Be aware of your risk factors and how your habits and medication affect your likelihood of heart disease.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Live longer and healthier by breathing free everyday.

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Eliz Greene is the Busy Woman’s Guide to a Health. Drawing on her experience surviving a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggling to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com