Facts on Cardiovascular Diseases Related to Smoking

According to the American Heart Association, smoking is a preventable cause of premature death--accounting for over 440,000 deaths each year. However, most of these deaths are not caused by lung cancer or emphysema. Coronary heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease account for over one third of the deaths related to smoking.

Effects of Smoking

• The most commonly known and deadly effect of smoking is coronary heart disease. However, smoking impacts the cardiovascular system in other ways by increasing blood pressure, decreaseing HDL or "good" cholesterol, increasing the risk for the formation of blood clots, artherosclerosis, and reducing the amount of oxygen able to reach the body's tissues and organs.

Toxins

• Smoking produces a number of toxins from the burning and inhalation of ingredients such as nicotine, various carcinogens and carbon monoxide. These toxins lead to addiction, abnormal cell growth and decreased oxygen levels. Carbon monoxide has the greatest impact on the cardiovascular system preventing the heart, lungs, body tissues and organs from obtaining adequate amounts of oxygen from the air to the body's cells.

Heart Disease and Stroke

• Smoking increases an individuals risk for developing coronary heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of preventable death in the United States.

Artherosclerosis

• Also known as hardening of the arteries, increases an individuals risk for developing heart disease and other coronary related diseases. Artherosclerosis results in the build-up of plaque along artery walls, eventually leading to constriction and blockage.

Secondhand Smoke

• Smokers are not the only individuals at risk for developing coronary disease and other cardiovascular problems. Over 38,000 people die each year from cardiovascular illness related to the effects of secondhand smoke inhaled from cigarettes, cigar and pipe smoke.