Smoking Cessation Interventions

Psychosocial and Pharmacological Interventions on Smoking

Of the many causes of death in the world, coronary heart disease (CHD) remains one of the top global killers with an estimated 7.2 million people dying each year (Howell, 2011). The United States comprises a great majority of this mortality rate, which is approximately 450, 000 deaths in the United States alone (Capewell, et.al, 2010). Fortunately, since the 1970s CHD mortality rates in most industrialized nations have been reduced, especially in the younger populations (Capwell, et.al, 2010). A large majority of the American population, however, remains at heightened risk for developing cardiovascular disease, largely due to elevated cholesterol levels, even after smoking cessation. (Capwell, et.al, 2010). These increased cholesterol levels can result in hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and eventual development of atherosclerosis (Bass, 1991).

CHD is even more problematical in individuals that smoke. Over time smoking causes diseased arterial smooth muscle and,...
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