The Harms of Smoking: Why is the Heart in Danger?
Smoking is harmful not only to the lungs but also to the heart. Here are its negative effects on the cardiovascular system. We already know it: smoking seriously harms health. Smoking is one of the main causes of bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, recurrent respiratory infections, and lung cancer; it also promotes skin aging and damages numerous organs, increasing the risk of bladder, liver, pancreas, larynx, and esophagus cancers, and can harm the kidneys and retina. But there is more: smoking also harms the heart and arteries.
Smoking and cardiovascular risk
In fact, tobacco smoke is also one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases. According to available data, more than 1 in 10 deaths from heart or artery problems worldwide in the year 2000 alone was caused by smoking. The effect of smoking is independent of other causes of cardiovascular problems; in other words, even without other risk factors (such as high cholesterol), a smoker’s heart is at greater risk compared to a non-smoker’s. However, smoking also influences other cardiovascular risk factors (for example, blood lipid levels, as well as hypertension and diabetes). The action of smoking on other cardiovascular risk factors is multiplicative. For instance, if smoking alone doubles the risk level, the simultaneous presence of another major cardiovascular risk factor quadruples it, while the presence of two additional risk factors increases it sixfold compared to the risk of a non-smoker.
Mechanisms of smoking action
Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical substances. One of the most dangerous is tar, which itself contains carcinogenic and irritating substances, but the negative effects of nicotine should not be underestimated either: besides causing addiction, nicotine also affects the cardiovascular system. It is now known that nicotine and the oxidizing substances in smoke damage the tissue lining the inside of artery walls. Moreover, smoking causes a state of chronic inflammation that contributes to the atherosclerosis process [insert link to special content: “Atherosclerosis: meaning, causes, symptoms, and treatment”] and increases the risk of blood clots that can block arteries, limiting or stopping blood flow. Finally, smoking alters blood lipid levels, increasing triglycerides and reducing “good” cholesterol (HDL).
How to protect the heart from smoking
The best way to protect the heart from all these negative effects is never to start smoking. It is never too late to quit: permanently giving up cigarettes reduces the risks even for those living with coronary artery disease. There are many methods to quit: from using nicotine-based products or other substances that help fight withdrawal symptoms to psychological support, there are options suitable for various cases. To further reduce cardiovascular risk, it might be helpful to take medications or supplements that help control cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Talking to your doctor can help determine if these might be suitable for your case.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (US); Office on Smoking and Health (US). Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); 2010. How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General.
MedlinePlus. Thrombus. https://goo.gl/bCLmVT. 11/06/18
Italian Ministry of Health. Directorate General of Health Prevention. January 5, 2018. DAMAGE CAUSED BY TOBACCO USE
Italian Ministry of Health. www.salute.gov. Smoking. https://goo.gl/uSQyFL. 11/06/18 Image: Pixabay
