High-risk heart patients urged to quit smoking

Media Release
May 31, 2016

High-risk heart patients urged to quit smoking

The Heart Foundation is concerned about a possible high rate of smoking among younger Kiwis with heart disease.

On World Smokefree Day, the Heart Foundation says anecdotal evidence points to people with heart disease smoking at higher rates than the general population.

“We are hearing that people with heart disease, particularly those under 65, are potentially smoking at rates above the general population,” says Kim Arcus, Heart Healthcare Manager.

“This is worrying because people who survive one heart event are at very high risk of having another event. Stopping smoking is one of the best things someone can do to reduce that risk and be there longer with their spouse, children, friends and loved ones.”

Kim says the Heart Foundation is steadfast in its goal to help New Zealand become smokefree by 2025, but it is particularly concerned about smoking rates among those at high risk.

”Smokers are two to four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
“There are thousands of chemicals in cigarette smoke which, when inhaled, can damage the lining of the arteries, reduce the amount of oxygen blood can carry, raise blood pressure, and make blood more likely to clot.

“The best thing a smoker can do for their health and that of their family is to quit smoking.”

The Heart Foundation is also concerned about the harm being caused to non-smoking New Zealanders by second-hand smoke, say Louisa Ryan, the Pacific Health Manager.

“Second-hand smoke exposure is associated with a 25 per cent increased risk of heart disease.1 It contributes to the hardening and narrowing of our arteries, increases stroke risk and also increases the size of heart attacks when they do occur.

“Therefore, complete avoidance of second-hand smoke exposure is important, especially for patients with heart disease.”

Last week, the Heart Foundation voiced its support for the continuation of tobacco taxes, as announced in the Government’s 2016 Budget.

“However, we’d like to have seen an increase of higher than 10%. In our submission on the draft Budget Policy Statement 2016, we recommended a tobacco tax increase of 40 per cent followed by successive 20 per cent increases,” Louisa says.

ENDS

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