It's been 4 years since my dad had an angioplasty, and he hasn't had any follow-ups. He just can't seem to quit chewing smokeless tobacco. I'm really worried if this habit could affect his heart again. He's also having some tooth pain lately but insists that there's no connection between tobacco chewing and heart issues or even toothaches. Is there a medical way to help curb his cravings for tobacco?

Your dad's continued smokeless tobacco chewing significantly increases his risk of another heart attack, as it raises blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiovascular stress, while also potentially leading to tooth pain, gum recession, and oral cancer; to help him manage cravings, consider consulting a doctor about prescription medications like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion (Zyban), or varenicline (Chantix), or non-pharmacological approaches like counseling or support groups; regarding his tooth pain, insist he visits a dentist to rule out tobacco-related oral health issues.