It's common knowledge that smoking is bad for your heart and lungs. But did you know it also can damage your eyes?

According to the American Optometric Association, tobacco use triples a person's risk for macular degeneration. Symptoms include distorted vision, gradual loss of color vision and a dark or empty spot in the center of vision. Cigarettes also may play a role in the development of cataracts, the clouding of the eye's natural lens. Help your heart in cold weather Cold weather can be hard on the heart, especially if you have heart disease. Dr. Syed Mohiuddin, director of the Cardiac Center of Creighton University Medical Center, offers these tips to keep your heart healthy: Take frequent rest breaks during winter outdoor activities. Warm up properly before exercising outside. Wear a mask over the mouth and nose in cold, windy weather. Limit pulling, pushing and lifting of heavy objects, if you have cardiovascular disease. Such activities may raise blood pressure. Dress warmly, particularly if you're elderly. Because the elderly are more insensitive to moderately cold conditions, they can suffer hypothermia without knowing they're in danger. Don't drink alcoholic beverages before doing outdoor activities. Alcohol initially provides the feeling of warmth. But the heat is pulled away from the body's vital organs, which can lead to distress.

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