Celebrate World Heart Day on September 29

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Sept. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- Cardiovascular disease and stroke continue to be the leading causes of death in the United States, killing more than 800,000 Americans each year.  Quitting tobacco use and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke can help prevent 200,000 premature deaths caused by heart disease.  A smoker’s likelihood of suffering a heart attack is more than twice that of someone who does not smoke. 1   Secondhand or “passive” tobacco use also poses heart health concerns.  The 2010 Surgeon General Report states, “exposure to secondhand smoke has an immediate adverse impact on the cardiovascular system -damaging blood vessels, making blood more likely to clot and increasing risks for heart attackand stroke.” 2

Healthcare providers have an obligation to inform patients of the benefits of discontinuing tobacco use.  Within months of quitting smoking, cardiovascular health improves. One year after quitting smoking, the risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. 3

The POW’R Tobacco Cessation Center works with healthcare providers in Putnam, Orange, Westchester, and Rockland counties assisting them in treating their patients’ tobacco dependence.  “World Heart Day is a great opportunity to quit smoking,” said Leilani Lockett, Education and Outreach Specialist at POW’R Tobacco Cessation Center.  “Smokers should work with their healthcare providers to create a quit plan and learn about available pharmacotherapy that could increase their chances of success”. POW’R assists in implementing cessation protocols in healthcare facilities.  New technology, including Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), in the healthcare field aids in creating these policies and in the process of identifying and treating patients who use tobacco.

“Community stakeholders, state and local decision makers, and landlords play a major role in reducing exposure to tobacco smoke by supporting policies that prohibit smoking in multi-unit dwellings and building entryways,” said Makeda James, Westchester Coalition Coordinator for POW’R Against Tobacco.” In addition to support, enforcement of such policies is the key to making an impact over time.”

The implementation of policies in residential buildings, business, and healthcare facilities continues to play a major role in assisting smokers to quit and preventing young people from starting.  As the healthcare system continues to transform, tobacco dependence treatment will continue to be a fundamental approach in preventing the number one cause of death in our country.  POW’R Cessation Center encourages smokers to speak to their doctors and contact the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-800-NY-QUITS (697-8487) for assistance in fighting nicotine addiction.

About POW’R Tobacco Cessation Center
POW’R Tobacco Cessation Center located in White Plains, NY, serves; Putnam, Orange, Westchester and Rockland counties.  It is a grant program of the American Lung Association of the Northeast, funded by the NYS Department of Health Bureau of Tobacco Control Program.  Using the evidence-based Model for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, they offer healthcare providers free education and resources to assist them in helping their patients to quit smoking. Healthcare providers interested in contacting POW’R should call 914-407-2214, visit www.powrcessationcenter.org or email info@powrcessationcenter.org.

About POW’R Against Tobacco

Since 1992, POW’R Against Tobacco has promoted and educated the public about tobacco-free communities and the harmful effects of tobacco use in Putnam, Orange, Westchester, and Rockland counties. POW’R is funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health – Bureau of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control. The American Lung Association of New York State, Inc. is a founding member and fiscal agent for POW’R Against Tobacco.

About the American Lung Association of the Northeast

The American Lung Association of the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. We are part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. Visit http://www.lung.org/associations/charters/northeast/


[1] Oberg, M. et al.  Global estimate of the burden of disease from second-hand smoke.  Lancet, 2010; EPub

[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Controland Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2010.

[3] West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, A Program Plan for Reducing Heart Disease in West Virginia, 1997