The best lifestyle change to improve heart health? Quitting smoking

By Greg Davis

Published November 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM EST

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Das Signet "Rauchen verboten" haengt am Donnerstag, 31. Januar 2008, in Dresden an der Eingangstuer eines Shopping-Center. Am 1. Februar 2008 tritt in Sachsen das Nichtrauchergesetz in Kraft. Auch in Diskotheken, Restaurants und oeffentlichen Gebaeuden ist dann das Rauchen verboten. (AP Photo/Matthias Rietschel) --- A sign indicating 'Smoking prohibited' is fixed at an entrance door of a shopping center in Dresden, Germany, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Matthias Rietschel)

We have known for decades that smoking tobacco is bad for your health. Quitting smoking is probably the single best change a person can make not only for prevention of heart disease, but for their overall health. So why don't more people do it? Dr. Greg seeks answers from Peter Haigh, M.D., a noninvasive cardiologist at UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute.

Show link:

https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-healthcare/best-lifestyle-change-improve-heart-health-quitting-smoking

Dr. Greg Davis on Medicine

Greg Davis

Dr. Greg Davis is a forensic pathologist with UK HealthCare. Every week, Davis speaks with local health providers, professionals, and researchers on Dr. Greg Davis on Medicine.

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