Quitting smoking: what it does for your heart and your health
Most men who smoke have thought about quitting, and many have tried more than once. That is normal. This guide explains what smoking does to your body, what gets better after you stop, and where to find free help.
How smoking harms your blood vessels and heart
Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, including the heart and blood vessels. The chemicals in smoke damage the inside walls of your arteries. Over time, fatty deposits build up and the arteries get narrower and stiffer.
Narrow arteries make your heart work harder. Smoking is a leading cause of heart attacks and heart disease. It also makes blood more likely to form clots, which can block blood flow to the heart or brain.
Smoking and erections
An erection depends on healthy blood flow. When smoking damages blood vessels, less blood can reach the penis. That is why smoking is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED).
If you have noticed changes in your erections, it can be an early sign that your blood vessels need attention. Quitting is one of the best things you can do for your circulation, your heart and your sex life. ED is common and treatable, and pills work well for many men.
Benefits that start soon after you quit
Your body starts to heal quickly once you stop smoking. Some changes happen within hours. Others build over weeks and years.
- Right away: your blood pressure and heart rate begin to drop.
- Within a day: your risk of a heart attack starts to go down.
- Within a few weeks: walking and climbing stairs may feel easier because you are less short of breath.
- Over time: your blood becomes less likely to clot, and your heart and lungs keep getting stronger.
What helps men quit
Quitting is hard because nicotine is addictive. It is not about willpower alone. Using more than one kind of help gives you a better chance.
- Counseling: a trained coach helps you plan your quit day, handle cravings and get through slips.
- A quitline: free, private coaching by phone, with no judgment.
- Medicines: there are FDA-approved medicines that ease cravings and withdrawal. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you choose one that fits you.
- A plan: pick a quit date, know your triggers, and tell people you trust so they can back you up.
Free help to quit
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). This free number connects you directly to your state’s quitline, where a counselor can help you build a plan and stay on track. For support in Spanish, call 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569).
You can also find free tools, tips and text support at smokefree.gov. A good next step is to talk to your doctor about quitting. They can help you choose the right mix of support and medicine.
Lung cancer screening for current and former smokers
If you are 50 to 80 years old and have a 20 pack-year smoking history, a yearly low-dose CT scan of the lungs is recommended. This applies if you smoke now or quit within the past 15 years.
A pack-year means smoking one pack a day for one year. For example, one pack a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years, both equal 20 pack-years. Screening can find lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Ask your doctor if it is right for you.
Not sure where to start? We list trusted places to get checked in Louisiana, from community health centers to men’s health clinics. See where to get care.
Sources
- Smokefree.gov: Benefits of Quitting
- Smokefree.gov: Speak to an Expert
- NHLBI: How Smoking Affects the Heart and Blood Vessels
- NIDDK: Symptoms and Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
- USPSTF: Lung Cancer Screening
Where to get care
Any of these is a good next step. Pick the one that fits you.
- Aspire Health and Wellness†. A men’s health clinic in Metairie specializing in erectile dysfunction and weight loss, with free private visits and a range of treatment options. Visit aspireneworleans.com.
- Your primary care doctor. A good first stop. They can check your heart, blood sugar, and hormone levels.
- A urologist. A doctor who specializes in men’s urologic and sexual health.
- A community health center. Fees are based on income, with or without insurance. Find a community health center.
- Louisiana Medicaid. If you qualify, it covers doctor visits and prescriptions. See if you qualify.
- Veterans. Southeast Louisiana VA Health Care offers men’s health care for enrolled veterans.
† Affiliated with Aspire Community Care. We’re a nonprofit and don’t provide medical care; choose any provider that fits you.
Not sure where to start? Tell us what’s going on and we’ll help you find a next step. What you share stays private.
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