Tobacco and smoking are risk factors for many chronic disorders. Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death according to the American Heart Association. Millions of people die each year because of smoking. It is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.

Risks of smoking

However less, there is no amount of smoking termed as "safe amount". People who smoke around 10 cigarettes per day have more than double the risk of heart attack than nonsmokers do. Cigarettes contain nicotine, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide. They also have around 4000 other chemicals of varying toxicity, out of which 43 are carcinogens. The effects of smoking are as follows:

• Decrease in oxygen supply to the heart and other tissues in the body
• Increase in heart rate and blood pressure
• Damage to the cells lining the arteries and blood vessels
• Increase in the risk of heart attack
• Increase in the risk of coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke
• Increases the body's tendency for clotting
• Loss of stamina
• Increases the incidence of sickness among other members of your family, mainly children due to exposure to second-hand smoke

Smoking and cardiovascular diseases

Smoking causes atherosclerosis, a build up of plaque in the arteries. The deterioration of the normal lining of arteries and the thickening of arteries causes atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries). The arteries, which supply blood to the heart, are narrowed by plaque, which decreases the supply of oxygen rich blood to the heart, and this causes coronary artery disease. These conditions worsen during extra activity of the heart. Extra strain to the heart causes severe pain in the chest. This is known as angina pectoris. Heart attack occurs when one or more coronary arteries are fully blocked. An individual's risk of heart attack increases considerably with the number of cigarettes that he or she smokes. Peripheral artery disease, popularly known as stroke, occurs when atherosclerosis affects the arteries carrying blood to the limbs. Because of this, the patient may experience cramps in the limbs.

Quitting smoking

Now, that it is clear how smoking can be detrimental to your health, and to the health of people around you, you should consider quitting smoking as an alternative to maintain your health. You will experience many benefits, if you quit smoking. Quitting smoking prolongs your life and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Your risk of heart diseases is reduced by 50% if you quit smoking. You can also reduce the risk of peripheral artery disease and other chronic conditions. You can feel healthier and better. You can save money, which you spend on cigarettes. There are many ways to quit smoking , but first you should be ready emotionally and mentally. Chantix is a prescription medicine, which helps people stop smoking; you can consult a doctor and get this medication to make it easier for you to quit smoking.