Page 34 - February 2021 Issue.indd

Tips, Classes and
H ealth C orner Programs to help

you live healthier!

chemical that makes tobacco products it is transferred into the bloodstream.
addictive. Carbon monoxide lowers the amount
of oxygen red blood cells are able to
Where tobacco is grown can aff ect its
carry. It also leads to higher amounts
chemical makeup. Soil can contain
Smoking & Heart Health of cholesterol that is deposited into the
heavy metals like Cadmium and Lead
blood vessels, which can cause arteries
that can be absorbed into the tobacco
By Heather Grove, RN BSN to harden and increases the chances for
plant, along with the nitrites contained
a blockage to occur.

Smoking remains the leading cause in fertilizers. These chemicals can be
of preventable death in the United harmful to the body. Back to that addictive chemical
States. Most people are well aware of nicotine. Nicotine narrows the blood

After the tobacco plants are harvested,

the relationship between smoking vessels. Blood has to flow through these
they have to cure. During the curing
and cancers as well as lung problems, smaller passageways, which takes more
process, tobacco specifi c nitrosamines

but did you know smoking is a huge force. This is where the increased heart
(TSNAs) form. These chemicals are

contributor to cardiovascular and heart rate and blood pressure come from.
known to cause cancers, particularly of
problems too?
the lungs and esophagus. Just these two chemicals alone, carbon
Smoking is a known to cause to heart monoxide and nicotine, cause increase

After curing, the tobacco leaves are
disease, heart attacks, and strokes. stress and strain to the blood vessels,
shipped to manufactures to make
According to the American Heart heart, and cardiovascular system as a
cigarettes. Manufactures oft en add
Association, almost one third of deaths whole.
chemicals to control moisture, mask
from heart disease are due to smoking
harshness, and make the product taste One of the best things you can do to
and second hand smoke. Let’s explore
better and easier to use. protect your heart is to never smoke
why. or quit smoking. Many free resources
From there, cigarettes make their way to
It all comes down to chemicals. are available to help. Th e Maryland
consumers who light and smoke them.

Different chemicals are found in each Quitline is available 24/7 to help
The heating and burning process of

stage of development from growing the people 13 and over. Some people
smoking a cigarette creates even more
tobacco plant, to manufacturing actual even qualify for nicotine patches and
chemicals that were not present during
cigarettes, to physically lighting and gum to be mail directly to them at no
growing or manufacturing. Th ese
smoking the cigarette. cost. You can contact me at 410-829-
chemicals include carbon monoxide,
0848 to be referred to this program or
Tobacco plants naturally contain benzene and acrolein. contact the Quitline directly by calling
nicotine. Nicotine is a natural pesticide The chemical carbon monoxide is a 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

that keeps bugs away from the tobacco dangerous gas that is inhaled when
plants as they grow. Nicotine is also the someone smokes. Once it is in the lungs Choptank Health Earns
National Recognition for
Managing Type 2 Diabetes, CVD
KEEP THE BEAT Choptank Community Health System
has received the American Heart
CPR & First Aid Training Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes SM
Gold Award for implementing quality
Training for: • Boat Captains improvement measures addressing
• Healthcare • Coaches... the relationship between diabetes and
• Daycare we do them all! cardiovascular disease in outpatient
CPR and First Aid
settings.
valid for 2 years
410-758-2022 Quality, fun An adult with diabetes is hospitalized
WE ARE AHA INSTRUCTORS 147 Log Canoe Cir.
& aff ordable in the U.S. every 80 seconds for heart
For upcoming classes: Stevensville, MD 21666
training! disease, which can lead to a heart
www.ktbtraining.net
attack. Choptank Health and other
34