Smoking and its effects on the heart

Today smoking is one of the major causes of cancer deaths and fatal heart attacks. Smoking is a potent risk factor for heart attacks. The strong link between smoking and the development of cardiovascular diseases has been established with studies and statistics. Many degenerative diseases are directly connected to cigarette smoking and use of tobacco like heart diseases, lung cancer, cancer of the throat and mouth, respiratory illnesses, chronic bronchitis and ulcers. Chewing tobacco also leads to cancer of the mouth, lip, esophagus and pharynx. Smoking can reduce or shorten ones life span by as much as 10 to 12 years.

Tobacco contains carbon monoxide, nicotine, carcinogens and other irritants. It is the inhalation of carbon monoxide that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream as it combines with the hemoglobin and obstructs transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Carbon monoxide also causes development of cholesterol deposits on the walls of the arteries thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes .

Nicotine causes the heart to pump faster, increases palpitation and anxiety leading to heart ailments. Nicotine is a stimulant and is addictive. Smoke also contains harmful substances which cause elevation of LDL, clot formation, reduction of the good cholesterol or HDL. Kicking this habit can actually heal the damaged arterial walls. It does not matter for how long you have smoked. Your risk of developing heart diseases reduces when you quit completely.

There is a greater risk for females who smoke like early menopause, osteoporosis, higher risk of cancer of the cervix and uterus, infertility and sometimes abortions and premature deliveries.

Research also confirms that typically, smokers have low levels of vitamin C. More vitamin C is used up by the body to fight the oxidative substances present in nicotine.

Smoking increases the heart rate, blood pressure with irregular heart beats making the heart more susceptible to ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation which are life threatening.

Smoking also causes an increase in the fibrinogen levels in the blood. This is protein that increases blood clotting leading to thrombosis.

Smoking is one of the worst enemies of the skin. It impairs the circulation of blood to the skin depriving it of nutrients and oxygen causing severe dehydration. Smoking causes constriction of the blood vessels leading to wrinkling of the skin, bags and dark circles under the eyes and early onset of aging. This constriction in diabetics can also lead to formation of gangrene due to infections.

Smoking reduces blood flow to the sex organs leading to impotency and low sperm count and motility.

Smoking also harms non smokers –called passive smokers. Studies have confirmed that exposure to passive smoking or inhaling the smoke from other smokers causes as much risk from heart diseases as a regular smoker.

Smoking can cause stress, chronic cough, fatigue, breathlessness and suppresses the immune system.

Quitting is the only answer or method to kicking this habit. Quitting may cause withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, headache, drowsiness, gastrointestinal discomfort, anxiety, irritability and more craving for tobacco. This may be a temporary phase and the good news is that kicking this habit can actually reverse most of the ill effects developed by smoking and you can live a healthier life and chances of having a heart attack, stroke or cancer can be reduced.