Georgia Cardiologist Warns Smoking and Vaping Raise Heart Risks

Dr. Roy Flood discusses how tobacco use can impact the heart and blood vessels, and the importance of recognizing warning signs.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:35pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structures of a human heart, conveying the fragility and vulnerability of this vital organ and the need to protect it from the harmful effects of tobacco use.An X-ray view of the human heart highlights the fragility of this vital organ and the urgent need to protect it from the damaging effects of smoking and vaping.Savannah Today

Heart disease remains a leading health concern, and one of the biggest preventable drivers is still tobacco use. Dr. Roy Flood, a cardiologist at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, discusses how smoking and vaping can affect the heart and blood vessels, and what warning signs people should never ignore. He emphasizes the serious cardiovascular risks associated with both smoking and vaping, and the importance of quitting tobacco use before permanent damage is done.

Why it matters

Tobacco use, including smoking and vaping, is a major contributor to heart disease, which is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Dr. Flood's warnings highlight the urgent need for people to understand the significant cardiovascular risks and take steps to quit tobacco, in order to improve their long-term heart health.

The details

Dr. Flood, a cardiologist at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, says smoking is closely linked to heart attacks, strokes, cancers, and peripheral vascular disease, which can seriously impact circulation to the legs. He notes that at least half of the patients he sees in emergencies who are having a heart attack are smokers, and continuing to smoke is one of the biggest reasons patients end up back in the hospital after treatment. While vaping may deliver lower nicotine doses in some cases, Flood warns that it is still associated with cardiovascular risks, including higher clot formation risk and harmful effects seen with nicotine use.

  • Dr. Flood made these comments in April 2026.

The players

Dr. Roy Flood

A cardiologist at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, who specializes in treating heart disease and educating patients on the risks of tobacco use.

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What they’re saying

“If you like your legs, you may want to think about smoking cessation.”

— Dr. Roy Flood, Cardiologist

“At least half the patients that I see in emergent situations that are having a heart attack...are smokers.”

— Dr. Roy Flood, Cardiologist

“Vaping is not a free ride by any way, means or form at all.”

— Dr. Roy Flood, Cardiologist

What’s next

Dr. Flood emphasized that smoking cessation programs are generally available, but the key barrier is often whether someone is ready to take the step to quit. He noted the most effective approach tends to combine counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and other cessation aids.

The takeaway

This story highlights the urgent need for people to understand the significant cardiovascular risks associated with both smoking and vaping, and to take steps to quit tobacco use before permanent damage is done to their heart health. Dr. Flood's warnings underscore the importance of seeking support and utilizing available resources to successfully quit smoking or vaping.