Smokers Risks Each year, 390,000 Americans die from the effects of smoking. Cigarette smokers have more than twice the risk of heart attack. Cigarette smokers have two to four times the chance of cardiac arrest. Giving up smoking rapidly reduces the risk of heart disease. After a number of years, the risk of heart disease diminishes to the same level as a person who has never smoked. A pregnant woman who smokes increases her baby's chances of infant crib death. -- Information courtesy of the American Red Cross