How does smoking affect your risk cardiovascular disease?

Smoking cigarettes is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke. Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.

Here's how smoking affects your risk of cardiovascular disease:

- Increased blood pressure: Nicotine in cigarettes raises blood pressure, which puts extra strain on the heart.

- Atherosclerosis: Smoking damages the lining of the arteries, causing plaque to build up and narrow the arteries. This can lead to coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attack.

- Increased heart rate: Smoking causes the heart to beat faster, which can put a strain on the heart.

- Abnormal heart rhythms: Smoking can cause arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to heart attack or stroke.

- Increased inflammation: Smoking causes inflammation throughout the body, which is linked to the development of cardiovascular disease.

- Reduced oxygen: Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can damage the heart and blood vessels.

- Increased risk of blood clots: Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, which can block arteries and cause heart attack or stroke.

- Diabetes: Smoking increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

- Poor wound healing: Smoking can delay the healing of wounds and increase the risk of infection, both of which can lead to cardiovascular complications.

- Secondhand smoke: Even if you don't smoke, secondhand smoke can still increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. Within just a few days of quitting, your blood pressure and heart rate will start to return to normal. Within a few weeks, your circulation will improve and you will be able to exercise more easily. Within a few months, your risk of heart attack and stroke will start to decline.

If you need help quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about medications and other resources that can help.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and smoking is a major risk factor for this disease. Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do to improve your heart health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.