Men are at greater risk of heart disease than pre-menopausal women, as are older people, people of South Asian origin, people with diabetes and those with a family history of heart disease.
Nicotine stimulates the nervous system and makes the heart work harder.
CO replaces oxygen in the blood so, during smoking, tissues, including heart muscle, receive less oxygen. CO also makes the blood more likely to clot. If you give up smoking, your risk of having a heart attack will reduce rapidly. Within five to ten years of stopping, your chance of having a heart attack will be little more than that of a lifelong non-smoker. Exercise strengthens heart muscle so that it can work more easily.