Why Smokers Face Higher Risks of Stroke and Heart Disease

Smoking is not merely a habit; it is a conscious decision that poses significant risks to one’s cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. While most people are aware of the negative impacts smoking has on one’s lungs, only a handful are aware of how smoking increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. This blog aims to clarify why smokers are at higher risk and what protective measures can be taken. 

How Does Smoking Affect Your Body?

With every cigarette, smokers inhale thousands of chemicals, some of which are toxic to blood vessels and the heart. Here is what happens:  

• Your blood vessels become rigid and narrow, slowing down blood flow.

• Your heart has to work harder to pump blood through narrower vessels.

• Less oxygen reaches vital organs. The heart, brain, and muscles all become deprived.

• Smokers’ blood becomes sticky, increasing the odds of clots that obstruct blood flow.

• Your body’s smoking cessation progress is detectable almost immediately, even with just a few daily cigarettes.

How Smoking Increases the Probability of Having Heart Disease

A smoker is said to be facing heart ailments if they suffer from one or more health problems that impair the normal functioning of the heart. Further, smoking remains a significant risk of incurring such heart disease. Remarkably, a smoker’s chances of incurring heart disease are increased almost two up to four times as compared to a non-smoker.

Here is why heart disease may occur:

Excessive accumulation of fat and cholesterol, known as plaque deposits, in the arteries. Smoking leads to the accumulation of fat and cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. Eventually, this plaque can lead to occlusion of blood vessels, resulting in heart attacks.

Increased blood pressure as well as heart rate. Worn out heart is attributed to an overworked heart, which indeed is the case if a person smokes, as it raises the blood pressure and makes the heart beat faster.

Hindered blood vessels. The nicotine in cigarettes harms the cells of your blood vessels, hence damaging the protective layer of these vessels, making them more prone to blockages and ruptures.    

Research indicates that an individual who smokes one cigarette a day is still greater susceptible to heart risk as compared to non-smokers. It goes without saying that the more you smoke, the riskier it gets.

How Smoking Increases the Risk of Stroke

A stroke occurs as a result of either an obstruction of blood flow to a portion of the brain (ischemic stroke) or the spontaneous rupture of blood vessels (hemorrhagic stroke). Smokers have an increased risk of stroke, and this risk only grows as smokers age.

Stroke risk is increased due to the following reasons:

• Increasing the likelihood of clot formation that might obstruct the commonly occurring ischemic strokes by increasing blood viscosity.

• Weakening the arteries of the brain increases the probability of hemorrhagic strokes via chronic blood vessel damage.

• Improperly supplying needed oxygen can lead to the potential risk of hypoxic damage to brain tissues.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are other more common ways of shortening the lungs. But here’s an alarming statistic. 20 to 30% of smokers who fall into this category are more likely to suffer from secondhand smoke—that is, breathing someone else’s fumes.

How Much Does Smoking Increase Your Risk?

Let us take a look at some statistics:

Chronic smokers tend to be diagnosed with ischemic heart disease (IHD), and when coupled with other comorbidities, have double the chances of dying from it.

The hazard ratio for the risk of smoking is seven to one.

Having an average of a single stick for a day, a person is able to boost their chances of getting love handles, having a pot belly, severe love handles, heart disease, and a stroke.

People in the age range of 45 to 60 are much more prone to getting heart disease than those who no longer smoke or have never used tobacco.

These are life-altering opportunities for individuals with heart-related ailments.

What About Vaping and Nicotine Devices?

While vaping might be viewed as a more modern and less damaging alternative to smoking, it certainly does not come without its own hazards. Some studies indicate that vaping, particularly with nicotine-based e-liquids, can still impact your heart and blood vessels.

Getting nicotine from cigarettes or vaping will:

• Increase your blood pressure.

• Increase heart rate

• Increase chances of your blood clotting.

Passive smoking also creates risks for third party individuals.

People who do not smoke are also at risk. The act of receiving secondhand smoke increases the chances of heart disease and stroke for other individuals.

Thousands of cardiac disease and stroke related deaths occur due to passive smoking every year.

Pregnant women, babies and children are the most vulnerable.

Even if exposure is short, it can cause harm to blood vessels, which become gummed up.

If you are a smoker, when you quit, this instantly provides protection to your family.

Can Quitting Lower Your Risk?

Yes! Always good news, is that the body heals as soon as smoking is put to rest. Specifically, here is what happens:

Within days: Blood pressure and heart rate improve.

Within weeks to months, Lung and heart performance improve alongside blood flow.

Within a year, the Incidence of Heart disease decreases significantly.  

After a few years, the Risk of Strokes or heart diseases can be close to the levels of an individual who never smoked.

Quitting, regardless of the duration when commenced, continues to add healthy years to one's life, with the benefits increasing the sooner cessation is initiated.

Heart and Brain Health Tips

If you are trying to manage your risks of Stroke and heart disease, then here are steps you could try:

• Eliminate smoking: The single best thing to do for both the brain and heart.

• Routine advancements: Doctors regularly monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart health.

• Revise your diet: Preferably, opt for fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, and lean proteins.

• Be active: Move your body by exercising at least 30 minutes most days.

• Reduce stress: Try relaxing with yoga, practising deep breathing, or talking with a trusted confidant.

What If You Need Help to Quit?

Quiting smoking is not something you need to struggle with on your own. Here are a few options you could try:

• Consult with your doctor, pharmacist, or medical professional.

• They can help with recommending some programs or groups to join.

• Reach out to family or friends for assistance.

• You can even utilise new-age technology, such as mobile applications and hotlines.

Quit Hero offers help and direction for individuals who are looking to stop smoking or using nicotine. Whether you are using nicotine replacement therapies, vaping, or planning to quit cold turkey, their team can customise plans to your needs.

Conclusion

Smoking is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It will significantly increase the chances of getting a heart attack or stroke, even with minimal smoking. These risks can be severe, but there are even greater benefits to quitting. Your body starts healing itself as soon as you stop smoking.

Whether you are considering resignation or would like to learn more about your options, rest assured that you are not alone in this situation. You are not alone in your struggles. There is help available. 

This decision matters for your life, health, and brain. Make the decision as soon as possible, for yourself and those you care about. Quit Hero stands ready to help with information, with tools, and with compassion every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you want help.