Interactive Tool: How Does Smoking Increase Your Risk of Heart Attack?

What's next?

If you are concerned about your score, talk to your doctor about lowering your risk for a heart attack. Quitting smoking may be the most important step you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease. According to the World Health Organization, the risk of coronary artery disease decreases by 50% in the first year after quitting. To learn more, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.

This information was adapted from the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program's heart attack risk assessment tool.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: August 15, 2007
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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