Tobacco Related Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States today, and the leading cause of death for smokers as well. Cigarette smoke puts a strain on the heart and increases fatty deposits in the blood, increasing the risk of CHD and atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which fatty substances such as cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium and other substances are deposited along the lining of arteries in a person’s body.

The mechanics of a pulmonary embolism are explained as we watch one form and travel through the body in this animated video.

About Guide to Heart Disease, Richard N. Fogoros, presents this Dateline report which discusses the most common cause of death among smokers: heart disease. Researchers report that, worldwide, there were 1,690,000 premature deaths from cardiovascular disease among smokers in the year 2000. In contrast, there were “only” 850,000 lung cancer deaths from smoking in the same year.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and the leading cause of death caused by smoking. Smoking is hard on the heart.

From About.com Guide to Heart Disease, Dr. Rich: "Investigators from Finland have found that individuals under age 40 who smoke tobacco products have a five times higher chance of having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) than nonsmokers."

In-depth report on heart attacks and acute coronary syndrome from A.D.A.M.

Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., Guide to the Heart Disease site here at About.com provides practical help and information on a variety of issues concerning heart disease and cardiology.

In-depth report on coronary heart disease from A.D.A.M.

In-depth report on cogestive heart failure from A.D.A.M.

This article about how cigarette smoking affects the heart comes to us from the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.