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Quitting smoking could give you five extra years of healthy life, researchers said today.
Dutch cardiologists claim that the benefits of quitting the habit are even greater than they previously thought.
The study involved nearly 1,000 smokers who had recently had a heart attack or bypass surgery, but didn't actually track the participants.
Instead, scientists relied only on a mathematical model to calculate the effects of quitting cigarettes.
They claimed that quitting smoking was theoretically as effective as taking three types of heart medications.
Smoking accounts for half of all preventable deaths among smokers, half of which are due to cardiovascular disease.
Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including tar and others, that can narrow arteries and damage blood vessels, leading to heart problems.
Around 6.9 million Brits smoke, but more than half say they want to quit. There are 34.1 million smokers in the United States.
Dutch researchers found that the heart benefits of quitting smoking may be greater than previously thought
The main author Dr. Tinka Van Trier, from Amsterdam University Medical Center, said: “The benefits of quitting smoking are even greater than we thought.
“Cutting the habit appears to be as effective as taking three medications in preventing heart attacks and strokes in patients who have had a previous heart attack or a procedure to open blocked arteries.
“Patients could gain almost five years of healthy life.”
The study, presented at a conference of the European Society of Cardiology, involved 989 patients aged 45 and over.
They all continued smoking for at least six months after a heart attack or bypass surgery.
Dr. Van Trier added: “This analysis focused on smokers who had suffered a heart attack and/or had stent implantation or bypass surgery.
“This group is at particularly high risk of having another heart attack or stroke, and quitting smoking may be the most effective preventive measure.”
The analysis was based on a mathematical model designed to calculate the number of years of life they would gain if they gave up smoking.
They compared this to taking three drugs: colchicine - an anti-inflammatory therapy - and cholesterol-fighting bempedoic acid and PCSK9 inhibitors.
Quitting smoking extended people's lives by an average of 4.81 years, the model claimed. This compares to 4.83 years for the three drugs.
Dr. Van Trier said: "This suggests that smoking cessation is a very important step in adding healthy years to life."
“Quitting cigarettes after a heart attack is associated with improved survival compared to continued smoking.
“If you are considering becoming smoke-free or would like more information about becoming smoke-free, please speak to a doctor.
“Your motivation is the key to successfully quitting, but with medical and psychological support, beating an addiction becomes easier.”