I am 45, male. How can I quit smoking?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 45-year-old male who started smoking in my early 20s, and for the past two decades, I have been smoking around 15 to 20 cigarettes a day. Recently, I have been experiencing frequent coughing, breathlessness while climbing stairs, and occasional chest tightness.

My spirometry showed an FEV1 of 65%, suggesting early COPD, and my blood pressure has also been running high at 150/92 mmHg. My cholesterol levels are elevated, with LDL at 158 mg/dL and triglycerides at 210 mg/dL. I tried quitting twice but relapsed due to stress at work, and I now realize how addictive nicotine really is.

My father had lung cancer at the age of 62, which makes me more worried about my future if I do not stop smoking soon. I also noticed that my HbA1c is 6.4%, which puts me in the prediabetic range. These health scares have finally motivated me to take quitting seriously, but I feel I need professional help.

Could you please guide me on the best ways to quit smoking, whether nicotine replacement, medications, or counseling would work best for me, and how long it would take for my lungs and heart to start improving after quitting?

Kindly advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The spirometry results indicating early COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), along with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prediabetes, are all significant red flags. However, these conditions are still at a stage where lifestyle changes, especially quitting smoking, can make a substantial positive difference.

Nicotine addiction is one of the toughest to overcome, but it is absolutely possible with the right support. Most people achieve the best results through a combination of:

Nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gums, and lozenges).
Prescription medications (such as Varenicline or Bupropion).
Structured counseling and professional guidance.

You do not have to face this challenge alone; professional support significantly improves quit rates.

How your body heals after quitting:

Within 24 hours, blood pressure and heart rate begin to improve.
Within two to three months, lung function starts to recover, and coughing and breathlessness begin to ease.
Within one year, the risk of heart disease is reduced by about 50 percent.
In the long term, quitting smoking significantly lowers the risk of COPD progression and lung cancer.

Since your father had lung cancer, your decision to quit smoking now could be life-saving. At 45, you are still young enough for your lungs and heart to recover significantly once nicotine is out of your system.

The best way forward is to create a personalized plan based on your current health status. I strongly recommend scheduling a proper consultation with me so we can:

Review your medical reports in detail.
Discuss nicotine replacement options versus prescription medications.
Develop a realistic and structured quit plan.
Address stress management strategies to reduce the risk of relapse.

I hope this helps you.

Please reach out if you have any further queries.

Thank you, and best wishes.