Vascular nurse as a smoking cessation specialist

Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of disease and preventable death in the United States and is a major contributing factor to the development and progression of peripheral arterial disease. Vascular risk decreases immediately after smoking cessation and within 5-10 years reaches a level almost equivalent to that in nonsmokers. Despite the strong emphasis on smoking cessation, relapse frequently occurs. Smoking relapse is affected by physiologic and psychosocial factors. As a smoking cessation specialist, the vascular nurse can incorporate pharmacologic therapies and behavioral counseling into the treatment plan for patients with peripheral arterial disease. The role of a smoking cessation specialist enables the vascular nurse to assist patients in successfully overcoming these factors and maintaining abstinence.