Winter Maladies: Natural Approaches
June Russell's Health Facts
Smoking - Surgery
Smoking adds to the hazards of major surgery. The American Society of
Anesthesiologists showed that people who smoked within 24 hours of receiving
general anesthesia were 20 times more likely to have inadequate oxygen delivery to
their hearts during the operations, putting them at risk for myocardial ischemia.
Smoking also hinders the ability of the heart and lungs to recover quickly from the
effects of surgery. Studies confirm an increased rate of postoperative heart
complications in smokers, including abnormal blood pressures, irregular
heartbeats and decreased blood flow that can lead to a heart attack.
(AP Smoking adds to the hazards with major surgery, The Daily Progress,
April 5, 1998)