Smoking and Vascular Disease

Vascular disease compromises the health and function of blood vessels in the body and is strongly linked to the act of smoking. Most people have heard that smoking can cause heart disease and cancer, but unfortunately, that is only a small part of the picture. The link between smoking and vascular disease is a strong one. Every major organ system is impacted, including the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and limbs.

The disease starts with damage to the inner lining of blood vessels called the endothelium. As it progresses plaque begins to adhere to the interior of blood vessels, becoming thicker with time and making it more difficult for arteries to swell or contract naturally. This process is both initiated and accelerated by smoking.

Studies have shown an increased risk of aortic aneurisms with long-term smoking and vascular disease of the carotid artery which supplies blood to the brain as well. An aneurism is a swelling or ballooning of an artery. If an aneurism bursts, there will be extensive internal bleeding which can be fatal. Plaque caused by smoking and vascular disease can form in the carotid artery limiting blood flow to the brain. This plaque sometimes breaks off and lodges in smaller blood vessels in the brain, causing a stroke.

Smoking and vascular disease progression is also linked in other ways. Peripheral vascular disease is caused by insufficient blood circulation in the limbs. Symptoms include pain in the limb during use or in severe cases constant pain. If the disease worsens, amputation may be necessary. Three out of four peripheral vascular disease patients are smokers.

A man's ability to maintain an erection can be diminished in a similar way. Blood flow in the pelvic area can be reduced by smoking and vascular disease to the point of not being able to supply sufficient quantities of blood during intercourse. Smoking and vascular disease are major contributors to erectile dysfunction.

Smoking is associated with many more health risks than just lung cancer and heart disease. Stopping tobacco smoking is the only way to limit these important risks to your health.