Every medical worker you meet will tell you not to smoke. And of course, you often hear that smoking can cause strokes, cancer, and heart attacks. Of course, the question is, is it true that a product can cause so many health problems? Then the answer is, Yes!
In a cigarette, actually, there is not only one dangerous substance. Besides nicotine, there are hundreds of harmful chemicals in tobacco leaves, wrapping paper, and other elements. Over time, the accumulation of these substances can cause serious disturbances in various organs of the body.
What can happen to your blood vessels due to smoking?
Smoking is one of the highest preventable causes of death in the world. Smoking can cause heart attacks, peripheral vascular disease, and strokes because it can cause damage to the arteries.
Nicotine in cigarettes has the effect of being a stimulant, which can increase the heart rate by 20 beats per minute through each cigarette. This can cause an increase in blood pressure and make the diameter of the blood vessels smaller so that the heart can have difficulty pumping blood through the narrowed arteries and the body will release stored fat and cholesterol into the blood.
Cigarettes will speed up the process of hardening and narrowing of the arteries, so it can cause an increase in the possibility of blood clots by 2-4 times higher. When there is a blockage in the arteries, the tissues cannot get the supply of oxygen and nutrients, so that the tissue cells can die in a matter of minutes. Increased of cholesterol in the bloodstream can also cause a buildup in the arteries, indirectly increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and impaired blood flow to the limbs.
Smoking And Peripheral Arterial Disease
All arteries are vulnerable to the effects that can be caused by smoking, such as the narrowing of blood vessels, to the risk of blockage. Smoking is the main cause in many cases of disorders of the arteries that are in the periphery (end of the edge) that come to health facilities. Peripheral artery disease itself is a narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the muscles in the legs and arms.
When peripheral arterial disease occurs, patients with a history of smoking tend to experience pain in the legs and feet more often when walking, there are wounds that become infected so that gangrene forms which can require amputation and difficulties in treating the disease.
Other blood vessel disorders that can occur are strokes, ruptures in small and large blood vessels, to disturbances in sexual function, especially in vital organs.
What will happen if you stop smoking?
Within 48 hours of quitting smoking, blood pressure and heart rate will begin to decrease, and the temperature of the hands and feet will begin to increase toward normal values. Carbon monoxide levels in the blood will decrease and oxygen levels will rise toward normal levels. This of course will cause the possibility of a heart attack to decrease, the nerve endings in the ribs will begin to recover again and the ability to taste food and smell aroma will increase.
Within 1 year of quitting smoking, the function of blood circulation and lungs will improve, resulting in a decrease in the frequency of coughing, sinus congestion, and shortness of breath.
Therefore, start taking initiative to stop smoking, and if you experience symptoms of vascular disorders due to smoking, especially peripheral arterial disorders, then immediately consult a Thoracic-Cardiovascular Surgery specialist to prevent further complications.
Article written by dr. Panji Utomo, Sp.BTKV(K)-P (Specialist in Thoracic, Cardiac, and Vascular Surgery at EMC Sentul Hospital).