Smoking and Your Cardiovascular System

As many other side effects as smoking may have, it affects not just the respiratory system. The components in cigarettes and tobacco are responsible for damaging multiple other organ systems equally well.

In this small article let’s talk more about how smoking can damage the entire cardio vascular system of the human body. Smoking is hazardous as we know already, specially for the harmful component called nicotine. Nicotine does not only alters the state of the mind, but it also gives a boost to the blood sugar level the minute it hits one’s body. Such a boost to the blood sugars fades after a little while as it is artificially induced due to nicotine and then leaves one feeling extremely tired. The sense of tiredness makes one crave for another boost in the sugar levels and accordingly, more nicotine; thus the addiction.

Similarly, nicotine is also responsible for vascular constriction. It causes blood vessels to get tightened and thus the flow of blood is restricted in the body. Commonly known as peripheral artery disease, this can lead to multiple other medical conditions. Smoking also raises blood pressure along with lowering the levels of good cholesterol. As a result, the arteries can get stretches and there can be a buildup of bad cholesterol (thus causing Artherosclerosis). Not just this, but it can also lead to causing of blood clots to be formed.

The increased blood clots and the weakening of the blood vessels in the human brains increases the risk of a stroke to a smoker. Similarly any smokers that undergo a bypass surgery for their heart are at an increased risk of coronary heart diseases recurring. Similarly, smokers also face a higher risk of leukemia (blood cancer) in the longer run.

So effectively it is not just the heart, but also the blood vessels, and the blood itself that get affected by smoking. The entire cardio vascular system of a smoker is at a highly increased level of risk as that compared of a non smoker. However, the nonsmokers are not entirely safe either.
While non smokers may not directly get affected by the chemicals in cigarettes, they are still exposed to second hand smoke. This breathing of the second hand smoke leads to an immediate effect on their cardiovascular system. This exposure increases the risk of a heart attack, a stroke and coronary heart disease even though they are not smoking.

At Core cancer foundation, we understand the risks of smoking. We understand the difficulties in quitting and hence we work towards the empowerment of those who want to prevent these diseases from happening to them. Together, we aspire to work with you and we’re just a click away!