Dr. Roy Flood, a cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital, warns that both traditional smoking and vaping significantly elevate the risk of severe cardiovascular issues, though quitting can rapidly begin to reverse these dangers.
- Emergency Prevalence: Smokers account for at least half of the emergency heart attack patients treated by Dr. Flood.
- Vascular Damage: Tobacco use severely impacts leg circulation, often presenting as calf pain during walking (claudication).
- Vaping Dangers: E-cigarettes are “not a free ride,” carrying risks of increased clot formation, lung inflammation, and nicotine-related heart stress.
- Effective Quitting: Combining behavioral support with medical treatments yields the best cessation results.
Dr. Roy Flood, a cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital, has issued a stark warning regarding the severe cardiovascular impacts of both smoking and vaping. Speaking on Welcome to Our Community, Dr. Flood emphasized that tobacco use remains a primary driver of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease, urging users to quit before permanent vascular damage occurs.
In emergency settings, the link between tobacco and heart disease is undeniable. Dr. Flood noted that smokers make up at least 50% of his emergency heart attack cases. Furthermore, continuing to smoke post-treatment remains a leading cause of hospital readmissions.
A critical, often overlooked symptom of smoking-related vascular disease is claudication—pain in the back of the calves while walking. “If you like your legs, you may want to think about smoking cessation,” Dr. Flood advised, highlighting how compromised peripheral blood flow can lead to worsening mobility issues, particularly in diabetic patients.
Addressing the widespread misconception that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative, Dr. Flood stressed that vaping is “not a free ride by any way, means or form at all.” The cardiovascular risks associated with vaping include:
- Increased risk of blood clot formation.
- Harmful cardiovascular stress linked to nicotine exposure.
- Potential lung inflammation caused by the chemicals in vaping solutions.
Fortunately, the cardiovascular system can heal. Quitting initiates a recovery process where a former user’s heart risk gradually aligns with that of a non-smoker over time. To achieve long-term success, Dr. Flood recommends a combined approach utilizing behavioral coaching alongside medical treatments like nicotine replacement therapy.