Snus and Cardiovascular health

[dreed2]

The nicotine in snus is still there but it is given in lower doses over a longer period of time which does not damage your cardiovascular system nearly as much as any other way of getting nicotine (besides the patch; but who uses that crap anyways).

I had severe heart palpitations while using the patch because I'm going through menopause. I'd have a hot flash and that would send WAY too much nicotine, much too quickly, into my body. The patch has a warning that tells people to remove it before doing any strenuous exercise that would cause perspiration (or something to that effect, can't remember the exact wording). I suppose having a hot flash is similar to strenuous exercise because it raises the heart rate quite a bit and causes perspiration. There should be a warning label on the patch regarding this problem, but the drug companies would lose money, so that will never happen! ;-)

[whalen]

There is no better incentive to quit smoking than to suddenly be wheeled into a operating room and be told that as soon as everyone shows up you are going to have open heart surgery, no second opinions, no if and's or buts... I hope that snus can help you, I have no doubt that it has saved me.

@shag1952, you have to be careful about using snus, the smoke will kill you after a heart attack, it would me, but a careful examination of your cardiac fitness should indicate whether you are able to snus. It is no free ride, I sometimes get all bound up (constricted) with snus, I have to spit it out and chill. You will have to practice nicotine reduction, and get used to a smaller total amount.

I am sorry if I have been preaching here, I try not to! But when someone needs help I am more than willing to share my insight, I have spent a lot of time observing snus effect on me, and trying to learn as much as I can. I would be better off without nicotine, but I am an addict, pure and simple, it just simply keeps me from smoking. Feel free to PM me with specific questions, and best of luck!

[BradenL]

Dreed, i was just pking fun at the patch beause of the slow nicotine absorption. I personally went from dipping kodiak which has a very high absorption rate to the patch for work and at the gym which pretty much did nothing for me. I mean, everyone's body type is different and for me the patch just didnt do it. Considering I'm a poor grad school student, I wasn't about to start shelling out the cash to put two of those suckers on at once. I normally just put in a northerner boost pouch when i go lift, which all things considered is a poor choice because of the caffeine but it does the trick and i feel just fine. But I read that somebody ses northerner citrus while they run, which I am going to try next time I get a shipment.
Oh and I can see why hot flashes would cause there to be too much niotine considering the increased heart palipitations. I'm no med school student but I do know that increased heat and circulation greatly increases the reaction rates for the nicotine to be absorped through the epidermis and through the capillaries and into the bloodstream. I would just use snus portions and then if you feel one coming on, just spit it out, drink some water and hope for the best ( ;

[BradenL]

For anyone that is having problems quitting smoking, I ould highly suggest buying a greensmoke e-cig or some equivilant. I bought a bunch of zero nicotine cartridges and use it when i get the urge for a smoke. It probably not the best thing in the world to feed the habit for the physical action of smoking but it does do away with the cravings for me ( :

[shag1952]

Whalen, your not preaching I need all the info I can get. I think my cardiac fitness is okay at least i walk, ride a bike and an air dyne. I lift some weights but I'm not keen on it. I have used snus with no problem that I can tell. But other issues pop up from time to time and they really bother me. Maybe I should say certain issues DONT pop up. At any rate we would all be better off without the nicotine but I too am addicted without a doubt. Thanks

[precious007]

Amazed to see a pharmacist say all these...

:-)

Keep it up... let's clear the world of smoking )

[BradenL]

Too bad I don't have my degree yet, because as of right now there aren't a whole lot of health care professionals in the US that are pro-tobacco . The difference snus has made in my life is simply life itself. Instead of a death sentence to smoking, I have an easily manageable addiction to nicotine in snus that allows me to continue onwards without a fear of death or severe cardiovascular illness. With 75 milion smokers in the United States alone, a subsidy or even a presence on the market snus could literally save the lives of millions. Snus isn't a schedule I drug like cannabis where there is an literally an impossible battle for open use. One bill in congress could change the standards of production on even such tobacco as moist snuff or chew which would present a reduced harm form of tobacco that is already on the open market. I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I'd much rather spend $6 on a tin than die from oral cancer.

[Frosted]

When I see people smoking these days I can't help but think that they're stupid - I mean deliriously stupid. They're even more stupid when they refuse my offer of snus.

Whalen - you're right with a great analogy. Being wheeled into an operating theatre and being told that you're having open heart surgery whether you like it or not is a huge incentive to stop - there's no winding back time and wishing you'd done it different at that stage - when you're sh***ing your pants. Tough - too late.

I smoked all the way through the army and noticed absoloutely no decrease in fitness. I left at 33. I've been on snus 2 years and given up smoking nearly 3. I've noticed a significant decline in my fitness. I can't run forever these days but then again I'm 40 now and the kids half kill me, I suppose because I'm doing my job of dad properly. I'd hate to think what continued smoking would have done to me and I'd hate to have to say goodbye to my children at the age of 55 when they're just 18 and 16. That scenario terrifies me - that happened to my aunt who was a heavy smoker.

So thank you snus. I will never stop thanking Sweden, V2 and Swedish Match - I am eternally grateful for the comfort that they have supplied in my cessation of smoking and the long term health that they offer.

[shag1952]

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi...t/82/3/417.pdf


I found this interesting

[truthwolf1]

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi...t/82/3/417.pdf


I found this interesting

For somebody who needs to lower their cholesterol this is good news. Giving up carbs has been hard enough.

There were no significant differences
between ST users and nonusers in systolic
and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, and
total or HDL cholesterol levels when
adjusted for age, race, alcohol use, and
serum caffeine (Table 2). ST users had
lower mean white blood cell counts than
nonusers (P < .01). There were also no
significant differences among ST users in
systolic and diastolic blood pressure,
pulse rate, white blood cell count, and total
or HDL cholesterol levels when evaluated
by different measures of use-years
of use, hours of use per day, and hours