Smoking

[6jane2]

Just a quick one as be quite interested to know if you have ever been a smoker either now or gave up? And if you have given up how long before your AF started?

[Kaz747]

I’ve never smoked

[Vonnieruth]

Hi use to smoke about ten years ago Nothing to do with AF just decided to stop Only started with AF this year

[Hidden]

Hi,

I smoked from about the age 16 to 41. Wanted to give up as I had a young family in those days and needed a new car. So in Oct 1985 aged 41 I went to a hypnotist and in one 2 & half hour session I stopped. Never smoked since. I was on about 40 smokes a day.

AF hit me in Jan 2010.

John

[Woundbird]

Have been a smoker for many years before stopping February 2018 and I do believe that smoking was the main reason I got AF

[jonjub]

Smoked from about age 15 until about 30 usually 40 a-day, stopped because i didn't enjoy it anymore. First noticeable AFib event age 50. I was also a very proficient social drinker during this time and a very capable coffee drinker.

Were any of these responsible for AFib?

[doodle68]

I used to smoke, a habit started by a smoker nurse friend who used to say 'go on have one' and I felt obliged to buy cigarettes in return.

She had been encouraged to smoke by a hospital Sister during her training. As part of the training they had to attend a post-mortem and the Sister suggested anyone who smoked should take cigarettes along, apparently, they were though to help to prevent fainting and masked the smell.

Starting smoking was a big mistake considering I had problems with my lungs from childhood. Smoking could be a contributory factor in developing AF as there is no doubt it causes inflammation.

I gave up overnight, I put a jar on the windowsill with a box of matches and each time I didn't have a cigarette when I would have done I put in half a match to represent one . I had promised my small son when I had enough matches they would be converted to cash and I would take him out for a meal which I did. Doing this gave me an incentive not to backslide

[Hidden]

I quit smoking in 1982, proceeded to gain around 100 lb, which may have contributed to AF. Now 50 of the 100 is gone, Af has been improving. Ive only had AF for almost 3 yr so too early to tell how it will play out.

[BobD Volunteer]

Smoked 40 Marlbro a day till June 82 when my dying mother asked me to stop. Not done so since. AF diagnosed 2004 but likely there a good ten years undiagnosed. Lungs still knackered as despite what they told me then they never recover.

[GrannySmithgs5]

Smoked for 40 years , AF diagnosed 6 years later x

[jeanjeannie50]

Have never smoked, tried it once or twice when I was very young but it did nothing for me.

[fallingtopieces]

I’ve never smoked, not even tried one, but before smoking was banned inside shopping centres, if I as much as walked behind someone smoking, my heart would start racing.

I’ll add that I grew up passively smoking for 20 years but I find it easy to keep away from smoking these days.

Pat

[Aprilbday]

Never smoked. Never tried.

[Dodie117]

Smoked for 40 odd years. Stopped in October 2012 and diagnosed with AF in feb 2013. I’m sure smoking played its part in my having AF along with other lifestyle choices.