By Jeremy Berger, DO, and Ann Backus, MS, Harvard Chan School of Public Health
Imagine your 15-year-old son saying this after you are gone.
“Dad was more than just a highliner. He was the rock we all leaned on. His laugh was infectious, and he had this incredible ability to make everything feel okay, no matter how tough life got. But heart disease brought on by years of smoking took him away from us. We watched as he became weaker, his body reduced by constant coughing and shortness of breath. The man who once hauled lobster traps with ease now struggled to climb stairs or even speak without gasping for air. His heart, the one that loved us so much, just couldn’t handle it anymore.
We begged him to quit, tried to offer help, but the addiction had its claws in him. Now, he’s gone, and the house feels empty without his presence. He wasn’t just a victim of smoking; we all became victims of it, too—because we lost him.”
Smoking and its impact on the heart
Lobstermen are among the hardest-working individuals, spending long hours on the water in physically demanding and challenging conditions. Strength, stamina, and cardiovascular health are critical for a lobsterman’s success. However, smoking—common in the fishing community—can severely compromise heart health.
Every cigarette introduces 7,000 harmful chemicals into the body, many of which directly damage the heart and blood vessels.1 Lobstermen are at particular risk because smoking weakens the cardiovascular system, affecting the ability to load gear, maneuver the boat, and manage ropes and buoys.
Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, raises heart rate and blood pressure, putting additional strain on the heart, while carbon monoxide reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Smoking forces the heart to work overtime, struggling to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. This relentless strain wears down the heart, leading to overwhelming fatigue and breathlessness.
The benefits of quitting smoking
The good news is that quitting smoking can reverse many of the damaging effects on the cardiovascular system. Within a year of quitting, the risk of heart disease decreases by 50%, and over time, the risk continues to drop. Quitting also improves lung function, making it easier to breathe and maintain energy during physically demanding tasks. For lobstermen, this means it becomes less difficult to haul lobster traps, lift and pull wet ropes, and move heavy traps on a shifting boat.
Physical activity improves heart health
Physical activity is an important part of maintaining cardiovascular health, and it is especially beneficial for those who are quitting smoking. Exercise helps reduce cravings, manage stress, and improve overall fitness levels. For lobstermen, staying active off the boat is essential to keeping the heart healthy and strong.
Exercise comes in many forms. A walk after supper, yard work, playing outside with the grandchildren, even something as fun as dancing are all ways to stay active.
The journey to quit smoking and maintain a healthy heart might be challenging, but with the right support and goals, it’s more than possible. Start today and give your heart—and your work as a lobsterman—the best chance to thrive.
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