What should I do if I can't quit smoking after getting a heart stent?

In general, if a patient who has received a cardiac stent is unable to quit smoking, the situation can be improved through health education, behavioral control, and medication. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Health Education

Patients can consult professional medical staff to learn about the dangers of continued smoking on the cardiac stent and overall health, thereby increasing their motivation to quit. For example, persistent smoking increases the risk of cancer and also raises the likelihood of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

2. Behavioral Control

Behavioral control methods for quitting smoking require cooperation from family members. For instance, family members can supervise the patient in daily life, restricting their smoking and purchasing of cigarettes. Providing snacks such as sunflower seeds or candy can help divert the patient's attention and reduce the desire to smoke. Additionally, spending more time accompanying the patient in outdoor physical activities or recreational outings can also help shift focus away from smoking.

3. Medication

If a patient’s nicotine addiction is too strong to be managed by the above methods, they may take nicotine replacement therapies as directed by a physician, such as nicotine chewing gum, nicotine lozenges, or nicotine nasal sprays. These medications help create an aversion to smoking, thus achieving the goal of smoking cessation.

Besides these conventional approaches, other strategies such as strengthening willpower and self-reward systems can also be effective. If physical discomfort occurs during the quitting process, the patient should seek medical attention promptly.