| By now you're probably aware that there are many | | | | This compound binds with hemoglobin, which is the |
| health risks associated with smoking. The government | | | | molecule that carries oxygen in a red blood cell. This |
| requires a certain disclosure about these health risks, | | | | interferes with the transportation of oxygen, and less |
| and most people have heard about these possible | | | | oxygen increases the chances of heart disease. |
| effects whether they smoke or not. | | | | The second compound is, of course, well known to |
| However, if you look at all the possible risks that come | | | | most smokers and nonsmokers alike. Nicotine |
| with smoking, you may be surprised by what you | | | | decreases the amount of good cholesterol which thus |
| would find. Heart disease is usually listed as one of the | | | | allows fat to be deposited on the walls of an artery. |
| primary health risks for the long-term smoker. | | | | When you combine the above affects with the lack of |
| Most people are aware of the risk of lung cancer and | | | | exercise on the part of many smokers, the risk of |
| other pulmonary problems. After all, it is pretty obvious | | | | heart disease is greatly increased. This often happens |
| that if cigarette smoke is dangerous and that smoke is | | | | because smoking itself causes fatigue and shortness |
| inhaled through the lungs, then the lungs are vulnerable | | | | of breath, which discourages the smoker from |
| to various diseases. But why does smoking increase | | | | participating in exercise. |
| the risk of heart disease? | | | | When it's all said and done, a heavy smoker has a |
| Well, we can start by examining what heart disease | | | | much higher risk of developing heart disease. The |
| really is. If we use the term cardiovascular disease, this | | | | good news is that the situation begins to reverse itself |
| includes the heart along with the body's entire system | | | | immediately after you quit smoking. After 5 to 15 |
| of blood vessels. The major problem with smoking is | | | | years, your odds of developing heart disease are |
| that it harms blood vessels which can in turn the lead | | | | about as high as someone who has never smoked. |
| to a heart attack or stroke. | | | | Get started today, and it could add many years to |
| The first culprit in cigarette smoke is carbon monoxide. | | | | your life. |