Smoking in winter increases the risk of heart blockage. The nicotine present in its smoke damages the already narrowed blood vessels. Smoking causes the cell lining to get damaged, causing obstruction in blood flow.
If you are also smoking to keep yourself warm in cold weather, then be careful. It may increase the risk of heart problems. To protect themselves from the cold winds, people often start smoking, which can prove harmful for heart health. In fact, smoking starts harming the entire cardiovascular system including the heart, blood and blood vessels. Due to this, there is a risk of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. Apart from smoking, second hand smoking is also equally harmful for heart health. Know the effect of smoking on heart health (smoking in winter effect on heart).
The National Library of Medicine reports that more than 1 in 10 deaths worldwide were attributed to smoking. At the same time, the number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease in 140,000 people due to smoking has come to light. Apart from this, cigarette smoking also causes glucose intolerance and low serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.
How smoking causes harm to the heart (smoking in winter effect on heart)
Dr. Vanita Arora, Interventional Cardiologist, Department of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, says that smoking in winter increases the risk of heart blockage. The chemicals present in its smoke damage the already narrowed blood vessels, causing platelets to aggregate and prove to be the cause of blood clot. Smoking causes the cell lining to get damaged, causing obstruction in blood flow. Smoking not only harms active smokers but passive smokers can also become victims of heart diseases in the same way.
Smoking proves to be extremely harmful in women, which increases the risk of heart attack and heart stroke. In fact, the risk of infertility increases in women who smoke. So, those women who are taking oral contraceptive pills i.e. birth control pills. The risk of coronary heart disease increases up to five times in them.
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Harmful effects of smoking on heart (How smoking affects heart)
1. Risk of high blood pressure
Due to increased blood flow in the arteries, one has to face high blood pressure i.e. hypertension. Actually, the amount of nicotine present in smoke proves to be the cause of high blood pressure. Due to this, tension starts increasing in the body and the problem of dizziness persists.
2. Coronary Heart Disease
The arteries of the heart, called coronary arteries. When they are unable to fully supply blood to the heart, the risk of coronary heart disease increases in the body. In cold weather, the arteries start getting narrowed and the plaque accumulated in them due to smoking starts hindering the circulation of blood.
3. Risk of stroke
Smoking promotes the formation of plaque and clots. Due to this, blood vessels in the body start getting blocked. If this problem starts reaching the brain, it can cause stroke. Due to this, the brain does not get full oxygen, due to which the brain cells start getting damaged.
4. Risk of heart attack
Smoking impairs blood flow to the heart, which can lead to a heart attack. This is also called myocardial infarction. Without oxygenated blood, heart muscles start getting damaged.
Benefits of quitting smoking for the heart
1. Heart rate starts normalizing
Smoking regularly affects blood pressure and heart rate. According to USDA, heart rate starts becoming normal 20 minutes after stopping smoking. Actually, breathing supplies oxygen to the lungs. But after coming in contact with smoke containing chemicals, the contaminated smoke starts entering the body.
2. Blood flow starts improving
Carbon monoxide is found in cigarette smoke) which makes it difficult for adequate oxygen to reach the heart. According to NIH research, 12 hours after stopping smoking, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood starts normalizing and more oxygen starts reaching the heart.
3. Reduce the risk of heart attack
According to the American Lung Association, when the blood pressure in the body starts becoming normal, the risk of heart attack decreases. This process starts within 12 to 24 hours of quitting smoking.
4. Protect from the risk of heart diseases
According to FDA research, after one year of quitting smoking, the risk of heart diseases including stroke reduces by almost half. Due to this, the level of carbon monoxide in the body remains regulated and blood circulation in the body remains proper.
Also read- Arteries blockage can cause heart attack, to keep them clear, definitely eat these 8 superfoods.
