Circulatory and Respiratory System Diseases

Related to Smoking
SMOKING AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

- Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a
heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart's muscle, valves
or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

- Even people who smoke fewer than five cigarettes a day may show signs of early CVD. The risk of CVD increases with
the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and when smoking continues for many years. Smoking cigarettes with lower
levels of tar or nicotine does not reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease

- Exposure to secondhand smoke causes heart disease in nonsmokers

- Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe,
and the smoke breathed out by the smoker. It contains more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds of those
chemicals are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer.

HOW SMOKING HARMS THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the cells that line blood vessels to become swollen and inflamed. This can narrow
the blood vessels and can lead to many cardiovascular conditions.

- Atherosclerosis, in which arteries narrow and become less flexible, occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances
in the blood form plaque that builds up in the walls of arteries. The opening inside the arteries narrows as plaque builds
up, and blood can no longer flow properly to various parts of the body. Smoking increases the formation of plaque in
blood vessels. Atherosclerosis refers to the build up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on your
artery walls (plaque), which can restrict blood flow. The plaque can burst, triggering a blood clot.
Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body.
- Coronary Heart Disease occurs when arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle are narrowed by plaque or blocked
by clots. Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the blood to thicken and form clots inside veins and arteries. Blockage from
a clot can lead to a heart attack and sudden death. Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood
vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients (coronary arteries) become damaged or
diseased. Cholesterol-containing deposits (plaque) in your arteries and inflammation are usually to blame
for coronary artery disease.
- Stroke is a loss of brain function caused when blood flow within the brain is interrupted. Strokes can cause permanent
brain damage and death. Smoking increases the risk for strokes. Deaths from strokes are more likely among smokers
than among former smokers or people who have never smoked. Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading
to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is
either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures).
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and peripheral vascular disease occur when blood vessels become narrower and the
flow of blood to arms, legs, hands and feet is reduced. Cells and tissue are deprived of needed oxygen when blood flow
is reduced. In extreme cases, an infected limb must be removed. Smoking is the most common preventable cause of
PAD. Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease) is a common circulatory problem in
which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. When you develop peripheral artery
disease (PAD), your extremities — usually your legs — don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with
demand.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a bulge or weakened area that occurs in the portion of the aorta that is in the abdomen.
The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Smoking is a known cause of early
damage to the abdominal aorta, which can lead to an aneurysm. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is life-
threatening; almost all deaths from abdominal aortic aneurysms are caused by smoking. Women smokers have a higher
risk of dying from an aortic aneurysm than men who smoke. Autopsies have shown early narrowing of the abdominal
aorta in young adults who smoked as adolescents. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA or triple A) is a localized
enlargement of the abdominal aorta such that the diameter is greater than 3 cm or more than 50% larger than
normal. ... Rupture may result in pain in the abdomen or back, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness,
and often results in death.
Plaque narrows vessels, so less blood can flow through. When a clot forms on one of these narrow places in an artery
around the heart, the heart muscle becomes starved for oxygen. This can cause a heart attack.

QUITTING SMOKING CUTS CVD RISKS Even though we don’t know exactly which smokers will develop CVD from
smoking, the best thing all smokers can do for their hearts is to quit. Smokers who quit start to improve their heart
health and reduce their risk for CVD immediately. Within a year, the risk of heart attack drops dramatically, and even
people who have already had a heart attack can cut their risk of having another if they quit smoking. Within five years of
quitting, smokers lower their risk of stroke to about that of a person who has never smoked.

SAVE YOUR HEART AVOID THE SMOKE Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels very quickly, but the damage is
repaired quickly for most smokers who stop smoking. Even long-time smokers can see rapid health improvements when
they quit. Within a year, heart attack risk drops dramatically. Within five years, most smokers cut their risk of stroke to
nearly that of a nonsmoker. Even a few cigarettes now and then damage the heart, so the only proven strategy to keep
your heart safe from the effects of smoking is to quit.

Most people find a combination of resources works best. Many smokers do not quit on their first attempt. Many need
several tries to successfully quit. But the benefits are well worth it. Keep trying.

Smoking and Respiratory Diseases

What are the risks linked to smoking?

Smokers increase their risk of lung disease, including lung cancer. But they also increase their risk of other illnesses such
as heart disease, stroke, and mouth (oral) cancer. Risks from smoking, as they relate to lung disease, include the
following:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a
common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:
Chronic bronchitis, which involves a long-term cough with mucus. Emphysema which involves damage to
the lungs over time. . This includes:

- Chronic bronchitis. This is a long-term (chronic) inflammation of the large airways (bronchi). Symptoms include
coughing mucus over a long period. Chronic bronchitis is one type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease). The inflamed bronchial tubes produce a lot of mucus. This leads to coughing and difficulty breathing.
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause. Breathing in air pollution, fumes, or dust over a long period of
time may also cause it.
- Emphysema. This chronic lung condition affects the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of
breath, coughing, fatigue, sleep and heart problems, weight loss, and depression. Emphysema is a type of COPD
involving damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, There is progressive destruction of alveoli and the
surrounding tissue that supports the alveoli. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it
needs. Emphysema makes it hard to catch your breath. You may also have a chronic cough and have trouble
breathing during exercise. The most common cause is cigarette smoking.

Lung cancer. This is an abnormal growth of cells that can result in lumps, masses, or tumors. It may
start in the lining of the bronchi, or other areas of the respiratory system. Smoking, including
secondhand smoke, is the leading cause of lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer include:

 Cough
 Chest pain
 Shortness of breath
 Wheezing
 Recurring lung infections
 Bloody or rust-colored sputum
 Hoarseness
 Swelling of the neck and face
 Pain and weakness in the shoulders, arms, or hands
 Unexplained fever

Other cancers. Smoking increases the risk of lung and oral cancer. But it also increases the risk of
other respiratory system cancers. These include cancer of the nose, sinuses - Nasal and
sinus cancer. Nasal and sinus cancer affects the nasal cavity (the space behind your nose) and the
sinuses (small air-filled cavities inside your nose, cheekbones and forehead). It's a rare type
of cancer that most often affects men aged over 40. , voice box, and throat. Smoking also increases
the risk of many other cancers of GI (gastrointestinal), urinary, and female reproductive systems.

The symptoms of smoking-related lung diseases may look like other lung conditions or health
problems. If you have any symptoms of lung disease, see your healthcare provider as soon as
possible.

How dangerous is secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke is smoke that is exhaled by smokers and smoke emitted from the burning end of a lit cigarette, cigar,
or pipe. It causes more than 7,000 lung cancer deaths each year in people who don’t smoke. It can also lead to lung
conditions and heart disease. Symptoms linked to secondhand smoke exposure may include:

- Eye, nose, and throat irritation

- Coughing

- Too much mucus in the airways

= Chest discomfort or pain

Children and infants exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to experience ear infections, and asthma. They are also
at a higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than children and infants not exposed to secondhand smoke.

What are the benefits of quitting smoking?

People who quit smoking can actually reverse some of the lung damage. Other benefits of quitting
smoking may include the following:

 Decreased risk for lung disease

 Decreased risk for heart disease
 Decreased risk for cancer
 Reduced cigarette stains on fingers and teeth
 Reduced occurrence of cough
 Elimination of stale cigarettes smell on clothing and hair
 Improved smell and taste
 Saving money by not buying cigarettes

How does cigar smoking affect a person's risk of lung cancer and other types of
cancer?
Cigars actually pose the same, if not greater, risk as cigarettes for oral cancer. Although many cigar
smokers do not inhale, their risk for oral, throat, and esophageal cancers is the same as for cigarette
smokers. Consider these facts from the CDC:

 Compared with nonsmokers, cigar smokers who inhale are more likely to develop oral cancer,
esophageal cancer, and laryngeal cancer.
 Cigar smokers who inhale and smoke 5cigars a day may have a lung cancer risk similar to
one-pack-a-day cigarette smokers.
 Secondhand smoke from cigars contains toxins and cancer-causing agents (carcinogens)
similar to secondhand cigarette smoke, but in higher concentrations.

How do people stop smoking?

Quitting smoking is very difficult. The following tips can help you quit using tobacco products:

 Think about why you want to quit. Make a list of the reasons.
 Set a quit date.
 Try to pick a time when you have as little stress as possible.
 Ask for support and encouragement from family, friends, and coworkers.
 If you don't already exercise, start to increase your physical activity to improve your health.
  Try to get enough sleep each night and eat healthy. Along with exercise, healthy sleeping and
eating habits will help you cope with quitting.
 Join a smoking cessation program or support group. These programs are available in most
communities. There are also programs available by phone and online

Medicines to help you stop smoking

There are both prescription and over-the-counter medicines that can help you stop smoking. Talk with
your healthcare provider about these medicines and whether or not any of them are right for you.

Over-the-counter medicines:

 Nicotine patch. Nicotine is delivered through the skin.

 Nicotine gum. Gum delivers nicotine quickly.
 Nicotine lozenge. Lozenges are like hard candy.

Prescription medicines:

 Nicotine nasal spray. Nicotine is also delivered quickly.

 Nicotine inhaler. Using an inhaler is like smoking cigarettes.
 Antidepressant medicine (bupropion). It helps to lessen cravings for nicotine.
 Varenicline tartrate. It helps to lessen the discomfort of quitting. It also lessens the
pleasure you get from smoking.

Summary

Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known cancer-causing chemicals.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in your body.

Smoking when you are pregnant causes harm to your unborn baby.

Children exposed to second-hand smoke in their first year of life have a greater risk of illness and
sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco smoke that causes people who smoke to continue to smoke.

Along with nicotine, people who smoke inhale about 7,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Many
of these chemicals come from burning tobacco leaf. Some of these compounds are chemically active
and trigger profound and damaging changes in the body.

Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known cancer-causing chemicals. Smoking harms nearly every
organ in the body, causing many diseases and reducing health in general.

Dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke

Highly damaging components of tobacco smoke include:
 tar – is the word for the solid particles suspended in tobacco smoke. The particles contain chemicals, including
cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). Tar is sticky and brown, and stains teeth, fingernails and lung tissue
 carbon monoxide – is a poisonous gas. It is odourless and colourless and, in large doses, quickly causes
death because it takes the place of oxygen in the blood. In people who smoke, the carbon monoxide in their
blood makes it harder for oxygen to get to their organs and muscles
 oxidizing chemicals – are highly reactive chemicals that can damage the heart muscles and blood vessels of
people who smoke. They react with cholesterol, leading to the build-up of fatty material on artery walls. Their
actions lead to heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease
 metals – tobacco smoke contains several metals that cause cancer, including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium,
chromium, cobalt, lead and nickel
 radioactive compounds – tobacco smoke contains radioactive compounds that are known to be
carcinogenic.

Effects of smoking tobacco on the body

 Inhaling tobacco smoke causes damage to many of the body’s organs and systems.

Effects of smoking on the respiratory system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system include:

 irritation of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box)
 reduced lung function and breathlessness due to swelling and narrowing of the lung airways and excess
mucus in the lung passages
 impairment of the lungs’ clearance system, leading to the build-up of poisonous substances, which results in
lung irritation and damage
 increased risk of lung infection and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing
 permanent damage to the air sacs of the lungs.

Effects of smoking on the circulatory system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the circulatory system include:

 raised blood pressure and heart rate
 constriction (tightening) of blood vessels in the skin, resulting in a drop in skin temperature
 less oxygen carried by the blood during exercise
 ‘stickier’ blood, which is more prone to clotting
 damage to the lining of the arteries, which is thought to be a contributing factor to atherosclerosis (the build-up
of fatty deposits on the artery walls)
 reduced blood flow to extremities (fingers and toes)
 increased risk of stroke and heart attack due to blockages of the blood supply.

Effects of smoking on the immune system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the immune system include:

 greater susceptibility to infections such as pneumonia and influenza
 more severe and longer-lasting illnesses
 lower levels of protective antioxidants (such as vitamin C), in the blood.

Effects of smoking on the musculoskeletal system

The effects of tobacco smoke on the musculoskeletal system include:

 tightening of certain muscles
 reduced bone density.

Effects of smoking on the sexual organs

The effects of tobacco smoke on the male body include an increased risk for:
 lower sperm count
 higher percentage of deformed sperm
 genetic damage to sperm
 impotence, which may be due to the effects of smoking on blood flow and damage to the blood vessels of the
penis.

The effects of tobacco smoke on the female body include:

 reduced fertility, menstrual cycle irregularities, or absence of menstruation
 menopause reached one or two years earlier
 increased risk of cancer of the cervix
 greatly increased risk of stroke and heart attack if the person who smokes is aged over 35 years and taking the
oral contraceptive pill.
 Other effects of smoking on the body

Other effects of tobacco smoke on the body include:

 irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines
 increased risk of painful ulcers along the digestive tract
 reduced ability to smell and taste
 premature wrinkling of the skin
 higher risk of blindness
 gum disease (periodontitis).

Effects of smoking on babies

The effects of maternal smoking on an unborn baby include:

 increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth
 weaker lungs
 low birth weight, which may have a lasting effect of the growth and development of children. Low birth weight is
associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes in adulthood
 increased risk of cleft palate and cleft lip
 increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Passive smoking (exposure of the non-smoking mother to second-hand smoke) can also harm the
fetus.

If a parent continues to smoke during their baby’s first year of life, the child has an increased risk of
ear infections, respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis, sudden unexpected death in
infancy (SUDI) and meningococcal disease.

Diseases caused by long-term smoking

A person who smokes throughout their life is at high risk of developing a range of potentially lethal
diseases, including:
 cancer of the lung, mouth, nose, larynx, tongue, nasal sinus, oesophagus, throat, pancreas, bone marrow
(myeloid leukaemia), kidney, cervix, ovary, ureter, liver, bladder, bowel and stomach
 lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes
obstructive bronchiolitis and emphysema
 heart disease and stroke
 ulcers of the digestive system
 osteoporosis and hip fracture
 poor blood circulation in feet and hands, which can lead to pain and, in severe cases, gangrene and
amputation
 type 2 diabetes
 rheumatoid arthritis.
Atherosclerosis
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