New research published in the February issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), suggests that high-risk smokers with acute cardiovascular disease are three to four times more likely to quit smoking when treated with an intensive smoking cessation program.

From January 2001 to December 2002, Dr. Mohiuddin and colleagues gathered 209 patients who were admitted to the coronary care unit at the Creighton University Cardiac Center, suffering from unstable angina, heart attack, or severe coronary heart disease. All of the patients were self-identified smokers and agreed to undergo smoking cessation intervention.

"Cessation of smoking results in an almost immediate improvement in the risk of heart attack," said Dr. Mohiuddin, "and our study proves that intense smoking cessation treatment in high-risk patients is successful and that it saves lives."

For the full story please go to: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070212185339.htm