Most people know that smoking is "bad" for you. A lot of those people generally cite lung cancer as the primary reason why. However, while lung cancer is certainly and likely a possibility, cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease for men and women under 50 years old. Your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are all impacted by smoking.
Smoking Lowers HDL
Smoking lowers your HDL--the "good" cholesterol that helps keep your arteries clean. The University of Tennessee reports that smoking lowers your HDL by an average of 5 points. Even if you do not smoke, side-stream smoke from the tip of a smoker's cigarette or second-hand smoke exhaled by a smoker can lower your HDL cholesterol. A 2010 study by the Showa University School of Medicine published in "Pediatrics International" found that children who were exposed to passive smoke at home had lower HDL cholesterol levels than children who were not exposed to environmental cigarette smoke.
Smoking raises LDL
Smoking raises your LDL or "bad" cholesterol--the type that can clog your arteries with hard plaque. A chronically high level of LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and the primary contributor to plaque buildup in the arteries. A study by the Department of Chemical Pathology and Human Metabolism published in the "Journal of the Royal Society of Health" in 1998 concluded that quitting smoking will lower your LDL cholesterol, even if you gain weight.
Smoking Raises Triglycerides
Smoking raises your triglyceride levels as well. A study published in the "American Heart Journal" in March 1983 noted that the average female smoker had blood triglyceride levels approximately 31 points higher than the average nonsmoking female. High triglycerides, not as commonly known as cholesterol, are a risk factor for heart disease and a very important measure of your heart health. Triglycerides are fats that circulate in your bloodstream after you eat. The American Heart Association suggests that you avoid cigarette smoking if your triglycerides are high.
Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking helps your circulation, endurance, skin and general health. Quitting also reduces your risk of coronary artery disease by half. Your HDL, LDL and triglycerides levels will all improve after you stop smoking. Nicotine is a very addictive drug and the oral fixation can be hard to break as well. Do not hesitate to seek the help of your doctor if you decide to quit.
References
- NetWellness: Smoking Increases Risk of Heart Disease
- University of Tennesee Extension; Peanut Butter Plus; Judy Groce,
- "Pediatrics International"; Passive Smoking is Associated with Lower Serum Hdl-c Levels in School Children; K. Hirata, et al.; April 2010
- "Journal of the Royal Society of Health": Smoking, Diabetes and Hyperlipidaemia; D. P. Mikhailidis; April 1998
- MayoClinic.com: Triglycerides--Why do they matter?; June 17, 2010
- American Heart Association: Triglycerides
