Introduction
“Smoking can cause several complications and problems for the entire cardiovascular system, including the heart, blood and blood vessels”, says the Medithics Clinic’s best heart doctor in Kolkata.
Over time, the continuous exposure of the heart to harmful tobacco can cause health issues like stroke, heart attack and even heart failure.
List of Cardiovascular Disease caused by Smoking
A cardiologist in South Kolkata, attached to Medithics Clinic, lists the cardiovascular diseases which result from Smoking.
High blood pressure - High blood pressure occurs when blood in arteries flows with too much force. Nicotine in cigarettes narrows and hardens the walls of the arteries, increasing blood pressure and heart rate. It stresses the heart and causes a heart attack or stroke. It also makes blood more likely to clot.
Atherosclerosis - Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when the arteries become narrow and stiff due to the build-up of plaque. It blocks the flow of blood, making it difficult to reach other parts of the body, and it also causes inflammation. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fat, and scar tissue. Cigarette increases inflammation, which further promotes the accumulation of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries, thus, worsening atherosclerosis. Hypertension caused by Smoking can also increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
Arrhythmia - Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat. Smoking can trigger heart muscle scarring or cardiac fibrosis, leading to an irregular heartbeat or a fast heartbeat. The nicotine in cigarettes also increases heart rate.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) - CHD occurs due to the inability of the heart’s arteries, called coronary arteries, to bring enough blood to the heart. It’s also known as coronary artery disease. Smoking contributes to the condition of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, which leads to CHD.
Stroke - A stroke, or a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Smoking can lead to a stroke as it stimulates the formation of plaque and clots, which can accumulate in blood vessels throughout the body and hinder the flow of blood to the brain.
Heart attack – As Smoking stimulates plaque build-up and narrows the arteries and blood vessels, the blood flow to the heart gets hindered. This obstruction in the normal flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart damages the heart muscle, causing a heart attack.
Heart failure - Heart failure occurs when the damage is so severe that the heart becomes unable to pump the necessary amount of blood to the body. Smoking-related causes of heart failure include CHD and arrhythmia.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – The disease occurs when the arteries become too narrow to carry blood to the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Smoking can cause PAD by stimulating inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm - The aorta is a major artery located in the abdomen that delivers blood throughout the body. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can stimulate the formation of plaque and cause inflammation, narrowing the aorta. As a result, the aorta eventually develops a weak spot called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The weak spot can get bigger over time and eventually burst, which can be life-threatening.
If you are a smoker and suffering from any symptoms of heart disease like chest pain or shortness of breath, quit smoking and consult a cardiologist without delay. Visit Medithics Clinic’s top heart specialists in Kolkata.
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