Blockage
Cholesterol, a fat, waxy substance found throughout the body, is necessary for the formation of cell membranes, hormones and other functions. But high amounts of cholesterol can block the arteries. Smoking elevates these increases in blood cholesterol, bringing on a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. The build-up of plaque in the arteries may be slow at first, but becomes progressive. Then the smoker can suddenly experience a heart attack, possibly fatal. The best way to find out if you are in danger is to get your cholesterol levels checked regularly. One of the best ways to avoid high cholesterol levels is to quit smoking. This way you can receive the double advantage of lowering LDL or "bad" cholesterol and raising protective HDL or "good" cholesterol.
Harmful
Exercise helps raise healthy HDL cholesterol levels. But smoking decreases exercise tolerance, so it is harder to get the physical activity needed to reach healthy HDL levels. The HDL cholesterol removes harmful cholesterol from the arteries and brings it to the liver where it can be sent from the body. A higher HDL cholesterol level is linked to lower risk of heart disease, says the American Heart Association. When HDL levels are down, cholesterol is free to build up within the arteries. Smoking causes blood vessels to dilate and makes them more susceptible to build-up of plaque. This process leads to arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can clog the arteries and eventually lead to heart attack. Higher LDL and overall cholesterol levels can raise blood pressure, putting an extra strain on your heart. By giving up smoking, you can lower your cholesterol to help reduce the pressure on your heart and allow it to work at a normal level again.
Quit
If you smoke and have a high cholesterol count, smoking is a leading contributor, according to Nutra Legacy, a health website. Getting rid of cigarettes will bring your bad cholesterol levels back to normal, decreasing your risk of serious illness and even death. Cigarette smoking is one of the major factors for heart disease, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The NHLBI lists it first, followed by high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, family history of heart disease and age, 45 years or older for men and 55 years or older for women. Smoking can cause chemical changes to HDL, according to the Mayo Clinic, which can eliminate HDL's beneficial effects. The Mayo Clinic says you can boost HDL cholesterol by up to 10 percent if you quit smoking.
