Smoking contributes
to the risk of developing heart disease. All smoke contains very
fine particulates that are able to penetrate the alveolar wall
into the blood and exert their effects on the heart in a short
time.
Inhalation of tobacco smoke causes several immediate responses
within the heart and blood vessels. Within one minute the heart
rate begins to rise, increasing by as much as 30 percent during
the first 10 minutes of smoking. Carbon monoxide in tobacco
smoke exerts its negative effects by reducing the blood’s
ability to carry oxygen.
Smoking tends to increase blood cholesterol levels. Furthermore,
the ratio of high-density lipoprotein (the “good” cholesterol)
to low-density lipoprotein (the “bad” cholesterol) tends to be
lower in smokers compared to non-smokers. Smoking also raises
the levels of fibrinogen and increases platelet production (both
involved in blood clotting) which makes the blood viscous.
Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying
component in red blood cells), resulting in a much stabler
complex than haemoglobin bound with oxygen or carbon
dioxide--the result is permanent loss of blood cell
functionality. Blood cells are naturally recycled after a
certain period of time, allowing for the creation of new,
functional erythrocytes. However, if carbon monoxide exposure
reaches a certain point before they can be recycled, hypoxia
(and later death) occurs. All these factors make smokers more at
risk of developing various forms of arteriosclerosis. As the
arteriosclerosis progresses, blood flows less easily through
rigid and narrowed blood vessels, making the blood more likely
to form a thrombosis (clot). Sudden blockage of a blood vessel
may lead to an infarction (e.g. stroke). However, it is also
worth noting that the effects of smoking on the heart may be
more subtle. These conditions may develop gradually given the
smoking-healing cycle (the human body heals itself between
periods of smoking), and therefore a smoker may develop less
significant disorders such as worsening or maintenance of
unpleasant dermatological conditions, e.g. eczema, due to
reduced blood supply. Smoking also increases blood pressure and
weakens blood vessels.
Smoker's attitudes >>
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Tobacco smoking
Methods of smoking
Health effects
1.
Establishing a link between smoking and health effects
2. Health risks of smoking
2.1 Carcinogenicity
2.2 Effects on the heart
2.3 Smoker's attitudes
3. Passive smoking
4. Somatic and psychological effects
5. Mood and anxiety disorders
6. Health benefits of smoking
Effects of the habit and
industry on society
1. Effect on healthcare costs
2. Tobacco and other drugs
3. Advertising
4. Peer pressure
5. Parental smoking
6. Smoking in movies and television
7. The use of smoking to project an image
Religious views
on smoking Smoking cessation
Legal issues and
regulation
1. Age restrictions
2. Taxation
3. Restrictions on cigarette advertising
4. Package warnings
5. Smoking bans
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