Going smokefree is the most important lifestyle change you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes have a direct effect on the heart, increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, raising cholesterol levels, furring of the arteries and increasing the likelihood of a blood clot. Stopping smoking could halve your chances of having a heart attack. Breathing second-hand smoke also increases the risk of heart disease.

Click here for details of the NHS Smokefree web site or contact your GP surgery for help and advice on going smokefree.