Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for heart disease. National guidelines strongly recommend smoking counseling to help heart attack survivors to quit smoking (National Cancer Institute (NCI) Prevention and Cessation of Cigarette Smoking: Control of Tobacco Use). Tobacco Cessation Guidelines from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) provide helpful tips on smoking cessation for patients.
The most recent report (3rd qtr., 2008) shows 100% percent of eligible heart attack survivors at UAMS received referrals for smoking cessation counseling prior to discharge, compared to the national average of 94% and the average for University Healthsystem Consortium hospitals of 100%.
