'No serious heart risks' linked to smoking cessation therapies

The American Heart Association claims that three different types of smoking cessation therapies do not pose serious heart risks, quashing concerns that certain products may increase the risks of heart attack, stroke or heart-related death.
Researchers looked at the results of 63 clinical trials involving 30, 508 people who were quitting smoking using either nicotine replacement gums and patches, the nicotine addiction treatment varenicline (Chantix), or taking the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin), which can reduce cravings and other unwanted withdrawal effects.Doina cigarettes and Dunhill cigarettes.
The results, published in the journal Circulation, did not find evidence of any increased risk of serious heart events among participants.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 45.3 million Americans smoke and that it accounts for approximately 443,000 deaths a year - that is one in every five deaths.
However, the CDC also notes that there are more former smokers in the US today than there are current ones.

Irregular or rapid heart rates

Stopping smoking is associated with increased life expectancy, improved cardiovascular health, better quality of life and reduced health care costs.
But, the CDC acknowledges, nicotine dependency is a chronic condition that may require repeated interventions to achieve the goal. Withdrawal symptoms for nicotine include irritability, anxiety, difficulty in concentrating and increased appetite.
Scientists know that nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and chewing gum, increase minor heart symptoms, such as irregular or rapid heartbeat.
The combination of both therapies, wearing a patch and chewing gum whenever there is the urge to smoke has been shown to be more effective but does lead to more side effects.
Edward J. Mills, study co-author and associate professor of medicine at Stanford University and Canada Research Chair at the University of Ottawa, explains: