Effects of Smoking on Heart Health

Smoking is a serious global health problem that affects the lives of millions of people every time. All the world also has a high smoking rate, and as a result, an increase in heart conditions is being seen. Heart health is an important element of our overall health, and smoking oppressively damages it. In this article, i will exfoliate light on the goods of smoking on heart health, the pitfalls associated with it, and ways to get relieve of this habit in order to raise mindfulness among the public.

What is smoking?

Smoking refers to the use of cigarettes, pipes, or other tobacco products that contain nicotine and other toxic chemicals. These chemicals damage various parts of the body, especially the heart and blood vessels. Cigarettes are the most widely used form of tobacco in the world, and its use is found in people of all ages.

Effects of Smoking on Heart Health

Smoking damages heart health in several ways. The main effects are described below:

1. Narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis)

Chemicals in cigarettes, such as carbon monoxide and nicotine, damage the inner walls of blood vessels. This results in the accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the arteries, which narrows them. This condition is called atherosclerosis and interferes with the proper supply of blood to the heart.

2. Increased blood pressure

Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which increases blood pressure. High blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart, which can damage the heart muscle and increase the risk of heart disease.

3. Heart attack

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and increases the risk of blood clots. Both of these factors can cause a heart attack. Smokers are two to four times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers. 

4. Irregular heartbeat

Smoking can cause an irregular heartbeat, called an arrhythmia. This condition affects the heart's ability to pump blood and can be fatal in severe cases.

5. Heart failure

Long-term smoking weakens the heart muscle, making it unable to pump blood effectively. This condition leads to heart failure, which is a chronic and serious disease.

Other health risks of smoking

In addition to heart health, smoking also damages other parts of the body, which indirectly affect heart health. For example:

Lung diseases: Smoking causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, which put extra strain on the heart.

Diabetes: Smoking increases the risk of diabetes, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Weight gain: Some people gain weight after quitting smoking, but this risk is much lower than the harms of smoking.

Risks according to statistics

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking causes more than 8 million deaths each year, of which 1.2 million deaths are due to passive smoking. About 24% of adults in Pakistan smoke, and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country.

Effects of passive smoking

Passive smoking, i.e. exposure to other people's cigarette smoke, is also dangerous for heart health. Passive smoking can cause heart disease, respiratory diseases, and other health problems in children and adults. Therefore, it is important to ban smoking in public places to avoid smoking.

Benefits of quitting smoking

Quitting smoking is the best way to improve heart health. The benefits are as follows:

Immediate benefits: Blood pressure and heart rate return to normal within 20 minutes of quitting.

After one year: Risk of heart attack is halved.

After 10 years: Risk of heart disease is the same as that of non-smokers.

Ways to quit smoking

Quitting smoking is not easy, but it is possible. The following methods can help:

Counseling and support groups: Contact a psychologist or support group that helps you quit smoking.

Nicotine replacement therapy: Use nicotine gum, patches, or other products that reduce nicotine cravings.

Medications: Take medications that help you quit smoking after consulting a doctor.

Healthy lifestyle: Adopt exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management methods.

Keep yourself busy: Participate in activities that distract you from smoking.

Message to the public

Smoking is a habit that not only damages your health but also endangers the lives of your loved ones. To maintain heart health, avoid smoking completely. If you are already a smoker, resolve to quit today. Your one decision can improve your life.

Final Thoughts 

Smoking is a serious threat to heart health that leads to problems like narrowing of increased blood pressure, and heart attacks. The only way to avoid its detriment is to fully get relieve of smoking. To reduce the adding rate of heart conditions in world, it's important that we all raise our voice against tobacco use and promote a healthy life. 

Let's start a healthy and tobacco-free life moment!