According to the National Institutes of Health smoking cigarettes contributes to 400,000 deaths each year in the United States. In addition to playing a major role in disease, smoking negatively effects your total cholesterol levels. The healthy amount of waxy cholesterol contained in the blood can be increased to unhealthy levels when cigarette smoking becomes a part of your routine.
Effects on HDL
Smoking decreases the good HDL cholesterol that keeps the bad LDL cholesterol in check. The reason for the decrease in HDL cholesterol is not fully understood, but the toxins you inhale with cigarette smoke seem to interfere with the way the HDL cholesterol works, causing it to function improperly.
Effects on LDL
The increased levels of LDL cholesterol that result from smoking significantly increases your risk of developing atherosclerosis, reports The Tobacco Related Disease Research Program. The increased level of LDL cholesterol begins to build up along the walls of your arteries. This excess buildup is known as plaque and as the plaque buildup grows your arteries harden, restricting blood flow to your heart and brain. This process is known as atherosclerosis.
Effects of Quitting
When you stop smoking your HDL cholesterol levels will be directly affected. Your HDL cholesterol begins to increase. This increase in good cholesterol leads to improvements in LDL cholesterol and your total cholesterol ratio, a factor doctors use to determine your risk of heart disease.
Heart Disease
Smoking can cause your HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels to reach levels that increase your risk of significant health problems. According to the American Heart Association, HDL cholesterol levels less than 40 mg for men and 50 mg for women can increase your risk of stroke and heart attack. Having a LDL cholesterol level above 170 mg increases your risk of developing heart disease or heart attack.
Cautions
Your cholesterol levels may not be the only ones negatively affected by your smoking habit. According to a study published by the American Heart Association, children and adolescents who reside in houses where they are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke have lower levels of HDL cholesterol, putting them at risk of atherosclerosis later in life.
Considerations
Although smoking is a significant contributor to unhealthy levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol there are also other things including stopping smoking that can help improve your cholesterol levels. Get regular exercise to decrease your weight. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and omega-3. Avoid foods that contain trans fat or a significant amount of saturated fat.
References
- American Heart Association Journals: Passive Cigarette Smoking and Reduced HDL Cholesterol Levels in Children With High-Risk Lipid Profiles
- Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program:Smoking-Related Changes in LDL and Atherosclerosis
- National Institutes of Health: Facts About Smoking
- American Heart Association: Cholesterol
