On Smoking And Heart Disease

Smoking and Heart Disease

Cigarette smoking has been mostly associated with breathing problems and lung cancer. However, smoking is also a major cause of heart disease. The link between smoking and heart disease, accounts to about twenty percent of all deaths from heart disease in the U.S. and most parts of the world which is directly attributed to smoking.

Smoking and heart disease of the coronary arteries in the heart called coronary artery disease, has been known to be the major result of smoking. This disease occurs when the normal lining of the arteries deteriorates, and the walls of the arteries thicken where deposits of fat and plaque block the flow of blood through the arteries.

The number of cigarettes a person smokes and the longer they smoke, greatly increases the person's risk of heart attack. People smoking a pack of cigarette a day, have more than twice the risk of heart attack than non-smokers. In the same manner that women who take birth control pills and smokes, significantly increases their risk of heart attack, peripheral vascular disease, and stroke.

People smoking and heart disease risks do not only affect smokers, but cigarette smoke supplied by smokers also affects the people around them, giving them the same risk of developing health problems, especially in children. Second-hand smoke or passive smoking has an effect on people who are frequently around smokers, and can cause cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, and heart disease. An estimate of about thirty five thousand non-smokers dies each year from passive smoking and heart disease.

The connection between smoking and heart disease increased risk is based on the multiple poisons that cigarettes have, including nicotine, hydrogen cyanide, 'tars', and carbon monoxide. The nicotine present in smoke causes decreased oxygen to the heart, increase in blood clotting, damage to cells that line the coronary arteries and other blood vessels, and increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Smoking and heart disease injurious effects to your health, is a good enough reason to quit smoking. Saying goodbye to those cigarette sticks will result to having a prolonged life, reduce risk of diseases including heart disease, healthier body with lessened coughing and fewer sore throats plus increased stamina, you'll look better as face wrinkles will be prevented and stained teeth rid of, improve your sense of taste and smell, and of course save money.

Quitting may not be as easy as one-two-three, and there's no one way that works for everybody. Being ready both mentally and emotionally is one big factor in quitting, determination of quitting should be focused on the benefits it will give you and your body and not just to please friends or family. Planning ahead helps and discipline is the key.

When you quit smoking, you say goodbye to an unhealthy lifestyle as well as eliminating the harmful effects of smoking and heart disease.