The Checkup: Quitting Smoking May Cut Your Heart-Disease Risk in Half

• Today’s post is dedicated to the 300,000 or so smokers who live in Philly, to whom I say: You should probably quit. Need some incentive? How about this new study, which found that quitting smoking cuts your heart disease and stroke risk in half—even if you put on a few pounds. The study followed over 3,200 people between 1984 and 2011; at the start, 31 percent were smokers, but by the end that number had fallen to roughly 13 percent. Researchers found that although the former smokers put on some weight—usually between five and 10 pounds—they had a 50 percent lower risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke, heart failure or clogged leg arteries compared to current smokers. Proving? That post-smoking weight gain won’t negate the heart benefits of quitting. So yeah. You should really get on that.

• Three cheers for water! A new report found that Americans are drinking more of it, with water now surpassing soda in per capita consumption. The trend is largely fueled by the wide availability of bottled water. More here.

• Oh, dang. A brainiac college student has invented a gel that instantly stops bleeding. And get this: It can be used on external and internal wounds. Mashable has more.

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