| Atherosclerosis is defined by Wikipedia as the | | | | smoke as a risk factor to atherosclerosis. |
| condition in which an artery wall thickens as the result | | | | Many may have an idea that tobacco smoke really |
| of the buildup of fatty materials. It is the major reason | | | | contributes to heart disease. Yes, cigarette smoke |
| for the occurrence of stroke and cardiac arrest. This | | | | really worsens atherosclerosis. It likewise speeds up |
| article will explain how atherosclerosis develops. | | | | the growth of plaques in the coronary arteries and the |
| Atherosclerosis can start as early as during the | | | | aorta. It even affects the arteries in the legs. |
| childhood stage. It can be a slow and complex | | | | The damage in the endothelium causes fats, platelets, |
| process, usually progressing as the person ages. | | | | cholesterol, cellular wastes, and other substances to be |
| There are people though who experience a rapid | | | | deposited in the arterial wall. These deposited materials |
| progress, which can be dangerous. In fact, some | | | | then stimulate the artery wall cells to produce other |
| people experience this progress even at their twenties. | | | | substances that can even further bring about buildup |
| Researchers and medical experts believe that heart | | | | of cells. |
| disease starts with the damage to the innermost layer | | | | With the buildup of cells and the surrounding materials, |
| of the artery called the endothelium layer. The arterial | | | | the deposits will likely increase in mass. This causes |
| wall damage is usually caused by these 3 factors: | | | | the thickening of the endothelium. With a thickened |
| High Blood Pressure | | | | inner layer, this results in the shrinking of the artery's |
| High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides | | | | diameter. This decreases blood flow dramatically. Thus, |
| Cigarette or Tobacco Smoke | | | | it consequently reduces oxygen supply all over the |
| The first two factors are very common causes of | | | | body, causing cardiac arrest or stroke. |
| heart disease. Let us take a closer look at tobacco | | | | |