Quit smoking to avoid heart diseases, Medical practitioner advises smokers

A Benin-based medical practitioner, Dr Osagiemwenagbon Edoghogho, has advised smokers to quit smoking harmful substances in order to avoid heart diseases.

Edoghogho, an oncologist, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Benin.

He said that smoking could cause damage to the heart’s major blood vessels, build-up plaques and narrow the coronary arteries, thus limiting blood flow to the heart.

“Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood vessels that supply the heart become damaged or diseased.

“Cholesterol-containing deposits (plaques) in the coronary arteries and inflammation are usually to blame for coronary artery disease.

“Smoking can destroy a person, as the substances inhaled do not just affect lungs but also, the entire body.

“It can lead to variety of complications in the body as well as long-term effects on the body system.

“While smoking can increase the risk of variety of problems over the years, some of the bodily effects are immediate”, he said.

Edoghogho said that the disease could lead result in chest pain and heart attack, adding that its treatment included self-care, blood thinners, lifestyle change, medication, angioplasty and surgery.