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Accelerated development of atherosclerosis is the most important problem resulting from smoking. Atherosclerosis is the progressive thickening and hardening of the arteries through which the blood flows. Over time, fatty deposits, called plaques and cholesterol, build up in the arteries making them narrower and therefore restrict the flow of the blood to the brain, heart and the rest of the body.
Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of heart attacks, strokes, heart diseases and most other cardiovascular diseases.
Current and ex-smokers face more than three times the risk for atherosclerosis in the presence of chronic infections. Persons exposed to secondhand smoke were found to be vulnerable to chronic infection and hence, increased risk for atherosclerosis risk.
Smoking cigarettes are responsible for results in heart attacks and strokes, heart pains, leg pains, and many other problems. Nicotine in any form has the same bad effects on the small blood vessels and thus accelerates development atherosclerosis. Smoking increases the process of atherosclerosis or the build up of fatty deposits and cholesterol in the arteries.
Each time a person smokes a cigarette, the blood vessels become sticky from the chemicals in the tobacco smoke and this leads to fat collecting and sticking to the artery walls. Most of the other cardiovascular diseases and coronary heart diseases are caused by the progression of atherosclerosis.
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Smoking and health 