Consumption of tobacco, in any form, has become an important cause of cardiovascular issues, which silently weakens heart health long before visual symptoms.

The stealth effects of tobacco and its components trigger a series of changes within the cardiovascular system, which laid the foundation for a life-threatening conditions such as heart attack or stroke years before any clinical signs appear.

India is one of the highest rates of smoking tobacco in the world. Unlike smoking tobacco, smoking -free tobacco products, such as tobacco, smelling and snooy are not burnt. Instead, they are used orally or from the nose, allowing nicotine to absorb through the mucous membrane of the mouth or nose.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-17, 21.4% of Indian adults use tobacco-free tobacco, while compared to 10.38% that use smoking tobacco. This indicates that one in about five adults in India has consumed some types of smoking tobacco exposed by the National Health Mission.

First target

One of the first goals of harmful effects of tobacco is the endothelium, a thin layer of cells lining blood vessels. Chemicals mainly in cigarette smoke, such as carbon monoxide, nicotine and reactive oxygen species, affect the endothelium, reduce their ability to produce nitric oxide, which is required for the vessel discount and quality blood flow.

This issue, called endothelial dysfunction, is one of the initial changes in smokers that are detected. Smoke can also contribute to the narrowness of the arteries and further determines the phase to the vascular injury.

Inflammation and oxidative stress

A chronic inflammatory reaction in the body begins with tobacco smoke. Oxidative chemicals in smoke affect the expression of adhesion molecules on the walls of the vessels, which causes platelets and sticing of WBC in the endothelium.

This not only promotes inflammation, but also accelerates the sharp of oxidized LDL (low-lipoprotein) cholesterol by immune cells, turning them into foam cells- indicating the formation of early atherosclerotic plaque.

Over time, these planets increase the arteries and become rigid, quietly increase the chances of heart attack and stroke.

Hidden danger

The delicate balance of blood clots system is also interrupted by smoking. It increases the concentration of fibrinogen, changes a type of protein, and platelet function involved in the formation of clots, causing blood to thicker and sticky, and is more likely to clot.

These changes create a prothrombotic position, where clots are more easily formed and start blocking the narrow arteries, often with frightening consequences. The largest part here is that these changes occur well before the chest pain or any symptom of the respiratory surface.

Lipid changes

Tobacco chemicals, such as nicotine, cause tightening of blood vessels, increase blood pressure and heart rate.

At the same time, the use of tobacco increases triglyceride levels and reduces HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and both contribute to the formation of arterial plaque.

These changes enhance the heart work very quietly in the body.

Mute progress

Heart damage done by tobacco is more worrying due to its secret. Sometimes, years can pass before any symbol emerges as a heart attack, stroke or sudden heart issue.

As long as it is diagnosed, damage is often terrible or irreversible. However, studies have shown that leaving tobacco can stop some extent or some of these changes can also be reversed, which can significantly reduce the risk of any fatal outcome.

(Disclaimer: It is a writer. The ideas and opinions expressed by doctors are their independent professional decisions, and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their ideas.)