Smoking and Heart Disease Rates in African-Americans

This paper discusses the link between smoking and heart disease in African-Americans. Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease. In the United States, African-Americans have higher rates of tobacco use than other racial or ethnic groups. As a result, African-Americans are disproportionately affected by the health burden related to smoking.

The health effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system in African-Americans are substantial. A study published in 2003 found that smokers had twice as many fatal coronary heart disease events compared with nonsmokers, whereas those who had quit smoking for at least five years had a 50% lower risk of death from this cause than current smokers.

Smoking increases blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. In addition, tobacco smoke damages the walls of blood vessels and increases inflammation throughout the body. This can lead to a buildup of plaque inside arteries, known as atherosclerosis, which causes hardening of the arteries (a process called arteriosclerosis).

The good news is that quitting smoking can greatly reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Even if you have smoked for many years, stopping smoking can still have significant health benefits. Quitting smoking improves cholesterol levels and reduces inflammation in the body. It also helps lower blood pressure and eventually even reverses some of the damage caused by smoking on the walls of your arteries.

If you are an African-American who smokes and would like to quit, there are a variety of treatments and resources available. Your doctor can help you find the right program for your specific needs. There are also online guides and smartphone apps that provide step-by-step support in quitting smoking.