Smoking or using tobacco is one of
the most significant risk factors for
developing heart disease. Chemicals in
tobacco can damage your heart and
blood vessels, leading to narrowing of
the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to a
heart attack. When it comes to heart
disease prevention, no amount of
smoking is safe. Smokeless tobacco
and low-tar and low-nicotine
cigarettes also are risky, as is exposure to secondhand smoke.
In addition, the nicotine in cigarette
smoke makes your heart work harder
by narrowing your blood vessels and
increasing your heart rate and blood
pressure. Carbon monoxide in
cigarette smoke replaces some of the oxygen in your blood. This increases
your blood pressure by forcing your
heart to work harder to supply
enough oxygen. Even so-called
"social smoking" smoking only
while at a bar or restaurant with friends is dangerous and increases
the risk of heart disease.
Women who smoke and take birth
control pills are at greater risk of
having a heart attack or stroke than
are those who don't do either. This
risk increases with age, especially in
women older than 35.
The good news, though, is that when
you quit smoking, your risk of heart
disease drops dramatically within just
one year. And no matter how long or
how much you smoked, you'll start
reaping rewards as soon as you quit.
(This topic is copy pasted)
