Most people know that smoking is not healthy and that it is probably best to quit the habit. Even most smokers know that smoking is not good for their lungs and cardiovascular system, increasing the potential for a heart attack or stroke. Among the many side effects that smokers should be concerned about, however, is the effect that smoking can have on their cholesterol.
Effects on HDL
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is your "good" cholesterol, and smoking can affect it. If you smoke on a daily basis, your HDL can fall by as much as five points. Even nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke can experience negative effects on their HDL cholesterol. The extent to which secondhand smoke will affect HDL levels depends on the amount of exposure. If you live with a smoker, it is very likely that secondhand smoke is affecting your health.
Indirect Effects
Smoking can also indirectly affect HDL levels. Physical activity and exercise encourage optimal cholesterol levels. But smoking decreases the body's oxygen capacity and, therefore, the ability to perform aerobic exercise. After smoking a cigarette, it is eight hours before your oxygen levels return to normal. Many people who smoke find it hard to perform any sort of sustainable exercise, so they rarely even attempt it. This can further adversely affect HDL, as well as cardiovascular health in general.
LDL and Triglycerides
Although it is significant, HDL is only one part of your lipid profile. LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels are also important, and smoking raises them. High LDL, or "bad" cholesterol," and triglyceride levels are risk factors for heart disease. If you quit smoking, though, your HDL level will rise, and your LDL and triglyceride levels will fall. Smoking is the number one preventable risk factor for heart disease.
Quitting
A year after you quit smoking, the risk of having a heart attack drops by 50 percent, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The benefits of quitting can be seen as early as 48 hours later, when your sense of taste and smell improve. You will be better able to exercise, which will improve your cholesterol levels. Smoking and nicotine are very addictive, though, so do not hesitate to contact your health care provider for help when trying to quit.
References
- "Nutrition News"; Are You Putting Your Heart at Risk?; The University of Tennessee Extension
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Smoking -- Secondhand Smoke; February 2009
- The Stanford Stop Smoking Program: Interesting Smoking Facts
- "Pediatrics International: Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society"; 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
