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Smoking is one of the major causes of coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is the foremost reason of death in both men and women in the United States. Smoking affects the heart. The toxins in cigarette smoke cause massive clots within the arteries and hinder the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart, eventually leading to a heart attack or an angina.

Common Causes of Heart Disease

Heart Disease accounts for 12 million deaths in the world annually as reported by the World Health Organization. The common causes of heart disease are as follows:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Caffeine
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Obesity
• Congenital heart defects
• High cholesterol
• Heredity factors
• Lack of movement or exercise
• Poor diet
• Diet supplements, self medication
• Damaged valve in the heart (valvular heart disease)

Negative Health Effects of Smoking

Smoking affects nearly every organ in the human body. In fact, it is the root cause for many ailments. Smoking destroys the immune system and deteriorates the physical and mental wellness of smokers. Some of the prominent negative health effects of smoking are as follows:

• As compared to nonsmokers, smokers are two to four times more likely to acquire coronary heart disease.
• Smoking is the reason for 90% of lung cancer fatalities in men; 80%, in women.
• Smoking increases the chances of death from chronic obstructive lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
• Smokers increase their probability of a stroke by two to four times.
• Smoking is a massive risk factor for several types of cancer like kidney, bladder, cervix, oral, throat, pancreas, acute myeloid leukemia, esophagus, and stomach.
• Smoking causes infertility in women and may be responsible for premature delivery, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome.
• Smoking heightens the chances of osteoporosis in menopausal women.

Facts About Smoking and Heart Disease

The primary forms of cardiovascular disease caused by smoking are coronary artery disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. Some facts associated with smoking and heart disease are as follows.

• Over 61 million Americans develop some type of cardiovascular disease like stroke, congestive heart failure, and hypertension.
• Nearly 2600 Americans fall victim to heart diseases everyday, which equals to one death every thirty three seconds.
• Women smokers who use contraceptive pills greatly enhance their probability of developing heart disease.
• Some studies reveal that passive smoking is one of the reasons behind heart disease in nonsmokers.

Smoking provides zero benefits and innumerable health hazards. A strong will power and mental strength can help get rid of this habit.

References

• http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/