BRADFORD GPs are encouraging people to use next week's No Smoking Day as the ideal opportunity to take the first steps towards a healthier heart.

The message for Wednesday's campaign day - Everyone loves a quitter - is endorsed by NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) which is behind a major new campaign called Bradford’s Healthy Hearts.

That initiative is aimed at reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack in people who are in risk groups and doctors say smoking seriously damages the heart.

Dr Youssef Beaini, Clinical Lead Cardiovascular Disease for NHS Bradford Districts CCG said: "People may not be aware of this but smokers are twice as likely to die from a heart attack, and up to four times as likely to have a stroke as a non-smoker. Two thirds of smokers die also as a direct result of smoking.

"However, the good news is that the risk to your heart health decreases significantly soon after you stop so it makes sense - stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health. That’s why we are encouraging people to use No Smoking Day as the ideal opportunity to quit for good. For those trying to quit, Bradford & Airedale NHS Stop Smoking Service provides great help and support. "

Smoking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary heart disease and stroke, because it damages arties. The carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke also reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, meaning the heart has to pump harder to supply the body and smokers' blood is more likely to clot.

Dr Beaini added that passive smoking was also dangerous to heart health.

"Research shows that exposure to second hand tobacco smoke is a cause of heart disease in non-smokers, which means you could be harming the health of your children, partner and friends," he said.

Bradford’s Healthy Hearts campaign, which started in 2014, is being developed over three years.

GPs are now busy targeting patients known to be at risk and those who are currently being prescribed statins are having their medication changed to a more effective version which reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Dr Beaini said:"Our key messages are aimed at helping people to live healthier and longer lives, and this can be achieved through knowing your blood pressure, knowing your blood sugar and lowering your cholesterol, as well understanding the powerful benefits of stopping smoking, healthy diets and physical exercise."