The American Lung Association reports that about 8 million Americans have at least one chronic disease caused by smoking, and one out of every five deaths is caused by smoking. The average cigarette contains 4,800 different chemicals. These chemicals damage your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, causing cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and atherosclerosis.
Smoking and Your Heart
A person who smokes is six times more likely to have a heart attack, according to the National Cancer Institute. One of the many chemicals in cigarettes is nicotine. When inhaled, nicotine causes a series of cardiovascular changes, including short term effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, constriction of blood vessels and an increase in carbon monoxide in the blood. Long-term effects of nicotine can lead to atherosclerosis, a build up of plaque on the walls of the arteries. Smoking contributes to injury and damage to the artery walls due to the increase in carbon monoxide in the bloodstream -- injury to an arterial wall is the first stage in atherosclerosis.
Smoking and Your Lungs
When you smoke, all of the chemicals in the cigarette go directly into your lungs. COPD begins when the bronchioles become narrow, which can lead to an increase in mucus production and cause bronchitis. Damage to alveoli results in an diagnosis of emphysema. Lung cancer develops over time and is directly related to exposure to smoke. When smoke enters the lungs, the damage it causes can lead to mutations in cells, when damaged cells multiply, cancer can evolve.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is responsible for 3,400 deaths from lung cancer and at least 27,000 deaths from heart disease each year, according to the American Lung Association. Secondhand smoke can cause disease and aggravate pre-existing diseases. Secondhand smoke causes respiratory problems in children and sudden infant death syndrome in babies.
Quitting
Smoking cessation helps improve the quality and quantity of your life and the lives of those around you. As soon as you stop smoking, your body reacts by repairing the damage. Blood pressure begins to decline, oxygen levels improve and mucus production decreases. Online programs, support groups and even medications are available to help smokers quit. If you need help, consult a physician.
References
- "Exercise Testing and Prescription"; David C. Nieman; 2007
- American Lung Association: About Smoking
- American Heart Association: Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease
- National Cancer Institute: Smoking
- American Heart Association: Nicotine Addiction
