Cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jeremy London, who has more than 25 years of experience and over a million followers on Instagram, discussed what he describes as the ‘worst habit’ that harms every organ during his recent appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast.
When prompted to share the top behavior he avoids as a surgeon, Dr. London emphasized the dangers of smoking, labeling it a significant health risk.
In his response to the host’s question, he stated, “Smoking is at the very top of the list.” He elaborated, “There’s no other habit that inflicts as much harm on every organ as smoking does. It’s highly addictive, and I don’t pass judgment on those struggling with it.”
Dr. London continued, “I’ve treated many patients who are chronic smokers over the years. That doesn’t negate the reality that smoking poses the greatest threat to your health, especially its well-documented link to lung cancer, not to mention myriad other issues. It’s clearly number one on the list.”
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According to NHS Better Health, smoking can lead to serious health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, eyesight issues, dementia, and high blood pressure. Fortunately, quitting smoking offers immediate health benefits. Your body begins healing almost instantly after you stop; your pulse rate normalizes within 20 minutes. Harmful substances like carbon monoxide decrease significantly within eight hours, allowing more oxygen circulation.
Furthermore, after ten years of abstaining from smoking, your risk of lung cancer drops to half that of a continuing smoker.
Support available for quitting smoking (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
Resources are available for those looking to quit smoking. The NHS emphasizes, “Local stop smoking services are free, welcoming, and can significantly increase your chances of quitting permanently.”
“These services, manned by knowledgeable advisers, offer various effective methods to aid your quitting journey, along with accurate information and professional guidance during the initial months after cessation.”
These services can also assist individuals in accessing stop smoking treatments, such as nicotine replacement therapies and medications like bupropion. For further details, visit the NHS website.
