How does tobacco contribute to cardiovascular diseases and deaths?« Back to Questions List

Tobacco kills around six million people every year.  Six percent of female and twelve percentage of male deaths world over are estimated to be due to use of tobacco or exposure to secondhand smoke. Cardiovascular disease is estimated to be one of the leading causes of death across the world today.  Tobacco is a major contributor of cardiovascular diseases.  The number of deaths arising from direct and indirect use of tobacco is estimated to cross eight million by 2030. 

While high blood pressure continues to be the major cause of cardiovascular diseases, tobacco usage claims second position by causing nearly ten percentages of cardiovascular diseases.  Tobacco usage damages blood vessels, causes temporary increase in blood pressure, and increases tendency for blood clot.  Smoking or chewing lowers exercise tolerance and reduces oxygen carrying capacity of blood.  Blood clots in arteries leads to a range of heart problems with ultimate result of stroke or sudden death.  Smoking hastens atherosclerosis which may impact blood circulation to organs, hands and feet leading to blood clots and eventual amputation. 

According to World Health Organization (WHO) tobacco consumption kills half of its users.  Tobacco is responsible for one death every six seconds.  Passive smoking or second hand smoking is also an equally responsible health hazard.  Such forced smokers living with and around active smokers have a thirty percent higher risk compared to non-smokers to acquire heart diseases.  Second hand smoking exposes kids and babies to bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma.  It also increases sudden unexplained deaths among infants. 

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Cigarette smoke consists of around 4800 chemicals. 69 of these chemicals are known to lead to cancer. Chronic bronchitis, stroke, infertility, peptic ulcer and delayed healing of wounds are some other negative impacts of tobacco consumption and smoking. 
Tobacco carving or the urge to smoke is a powerful desire that prompts one to smoke. The urge is so intense, but will pass within few minutes whether or not one smokes a cigarette or chews tobacco.  If one can successfully withstand the urge or tobacco craving, one is more close to quitting the bad habit and having a more enjoyable life. Effects of smoking on the body.

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