The fact that smoking can cause cardiovascular disease is now well-known, thanks to both scientific research and government publicity. There may be people in our lives who have experienced such tragedy. There is still a lot of confusion about this subject. What causes smoking to cause heart damage? What is the risk? Is the risk reduced proportionally by reducing the number of cigarettes smoked daily?
What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a grouping of the blood vessel and heart disorders, can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other complications. It is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. Atherosclerosis is a condition that causes arteries to narrow or blockage due to plaque buildup. CVD is more common in people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoke. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery.
The health consequences of smoking
Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 toxic or oxidative chemicals. These chemicals can be absorbed into the blood vessels, causing significant damage to the structure and function. Carbon monoxide in smoke, for example, causes oxidative stress. It damages endothelia cells, which is a thin, smooth layers of cells that line up along the blood vessel walls. Plaques stick to the vessel wall and cause blood clotting.
Independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease include smoking. Even for those with low levels of cholesterol, it has been shown that smoking cigarettes increases your risk of developing coronary heart disease. Smoking appears to interact with other major risk factors for coronary heart disease. Smoking alone can increase the risk by up to twofold. However, the simultaneous presence or combination of another major risk factor with tobacco is expected to double the risk.
Smokers are at three times higher risk of having a heart attack and seven times more likely to develop peripheral arterial disease. A case of abdominal aneurysm is a condition in which there is a risk of a rupture of the blood vessels. Smokers who smoke more than 1 pack per day are at risk.
It may seem like a safe assumption that reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke daily will reduce your risk of developing heart disease. However, a systematic review of 141 cohort studies from 1946 to 2015 found that the risk of having a stroke or coronary heart disease is much lower if you only smoke one cigarette per day. A systematic review of 141 cohort studies, published in 2015, found that people who only smoke 1 cigarette per day are at greater risk of developing coronary heart disease or stroke than those who smoke 20 cigarettes per night.5 This is contrary to what was expected. There is no safe level of nicotine that can prevent cardiovascular disease. Research shows that the risk for a recurrent coronary attack drops rapidly when smoking is stopped completely.
Conclusion
Heart disease is Canada’s second leading cause of death. It was responsible for more than 51,500 deaths in 2015. Smoking is one of the most preventable risk factors. There is no safe level of nicotine for cardiovascular disease. Stop smoking is the only way to prevent cardiovascular disease in a current smoker. It can be challenging to quit smoking. Nicotine addiction is a necessary condition. There is always a way. There is an all-natural, safe, and effective way to quit smoking. It is a soft laser Stop TobaccoTM treatment developed in-house by the Stop Centers. The professionals at the Stop Centres have over 18 years of experience and extensive knowledge about addiction. They will help you make the transition to a smoke-free, new life.
