Smoking, Heart disease and Stroke
Smoking and/or exposure to second-hand smoke has many negative health effects that increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Smoking contributes to the build-up of plaque in your arteries (atherosclerosis), increases the risk of blood clots, reduces the oxygen in your blood, increases your blood pressure, and makes your heart work harder.
- Smokers are 3 times more likely to die of heart disease.
- Smokers are 3 times more likely to have a stroke and have nearly double the risk of ischemic stroke.
- Smokers who have high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol are 4 to 8 times more likely to have heart disease or stroke.
- Women who smoke and use birth control pills are significantly more likely to have heart disease or stroke.
- Smoking increases your risk of developing angina (chest pain). If your heart is not getting sufficient blood flow, you can experience chest pain.
- Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to have atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis is often called hardening of the arteries. This is the build up of fatty deposits on the inside of the arteries. This build-up makes it harder for the blood to get through the arteries and leads to higher blood pressure.
- Smoking is the greatest single risk factor leading to peripheral vascular disease (blood vessel disease). When the blood vessels are diseased or damaged, you often suffer from cold hands or feet. If a blood clot should form in your arm or leg, you could have pain, lose the use of that limb, or even require amputation. Physicians call this peripheral vascular disease.n
- Individuals with diabetes are at greater risk of peripheral vascular disease.
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