Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla (left) and Dr. Jamal Abdullah
Doha: In recognition of World Heart Day, which is marked annually on September 29, officials at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Tobacco Control Center are warning about the link between smoking and heart disease and urging smokers to take advantage of smoking cessation services.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), almost two million people around the world die from tobacco-related heart disease each year. In addition to heart disease and high blood pressure, smokers are thought to be at risk for more severe COVID-19 illness due to the impact the virus has on the lungs.
Dr. Ahmad Al Mulla, Head of HMC’s Tobacco Control Center, said smoking increases the formation of plaque in blood vessels and notes that the chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the blood to thicken and form clots inside veins and arteries.
“Research has shown that smoking increases heart rate, tightens major arteries, and can cause an irregular heart rhythm, all of which require the heart of a smoker to work harder than the heart of a non-smoker. In addition to damaging your heart and blood vessels, cigarette smoke can change one’s blood chemistry and cause plaque – a waxy substance comprised of cholesterol, scar tissue, calcium, fat, and other material – to build up in the arteries,” said Dr. Al Mulla.
“Smoking tobacco also increases carbon monoxide content in the blood and having high levels of carbon monoxide in your blood greatly increases one’s risk of heart and circulatory diseases. Smokers, including those under the age of 50 years, are at an increased risk for angina pectoris and myocardial infarction,” added Dr. Al Mulla.
Dr. Jamal Abdullah, Smoking Cessation Specialist at HMC’s Tobacco Control Center said that the good news is that those who quit smoking early can reverse much of the damage caused by the dangerous habit. He said quitting has immediate and long-term health benefits, with heart rate and blood pressure dropping within 20 minutes and the carbon monoxide level in one’s blood dropping to normal within 12 hours.
“Those who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk of adverse health effects. Individuals who quit before the emergence of serious complications will have almost the same risk for certain diseases as non-smokers,” said Dr. Abdullah.
In recognition of World Heart Day, Noor El Nakib, Quality Management Coordinator at the Tobacco Control Center, has called on all smokers to consider quitting and urged those interested in learning more about services available at HMC’s Tobacco Control Center to call 4025 4981 or 5080 0959.
