SMOKING AS A HEART DISEASE FACTOR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

SMOKING AS A HEART DISEASE FACTOR - Essay ExampleA direct link has been identified betwixt lung cancer and tobacco smoking, as well as other links to respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema, and to coronary meat diseases (Pocket Dictionary of Biology 1999.) some(prenominal) clinical trials support these findings as well (Kunz1, Pechlaner, Ho, & Pfister 2005). Smoking increases the risk of infection of developing heart disease and is the leading cause of premature and preventable deaths in the linked States alone (Cohen 1999). Smoking is a major risk factor for developing heart disease as it indirectly impacts how the heart works and creates an imbalance in the cardiovascular system. For example, smoking causes emphysema, where the lungs lose their elasticity and the individual is often left short of breath. One of the hearts functions is to deliver oxygen, so the reduced surface area in the lungs results in an increased demand for oxygen by the lungs and other m uscular organs and tissue. As a result of this increased demand, the heart has to work harder to recompense for this imbalance. If this happens over a long period of time, the heart muscles provide weaken and/or change (e.g. heart enlargement, hardening of arteries, fatty deposits) and combined with other risk factors, will lead to heart disease.N The following points summarise the ways in which smoking affects the cardiovascular system. Smoking increases the levels of carbon monoxide which is a poisonous gas. In the long term this gas contributes to the damaged lining of job vessels and artery hardening (Black 1992). Smoking raises caudex levels of fibrinogen which is a clotting agent that causes blood platelets to stick together, increasing the risk of blood clots and blockages in the vascular system (Black 1992). Nicotine raises blood pressure and the heart rate which results in the heart working harder. It in like manner constricts the coronary arteries which results in les s publish of blood and oxygen to the heart (Black 1992). However, it is important to be aware of the nature of the various forms of heart disease, as this will increase our understanding of how smoking directly affects the working of the heart and the cardiovascular system. Heart Disease Heart disease consists of a variety of diseases that directly affect the workings of the heart. Arteriosclerotic disease is a result of the occurrence of fatty deposits inside the coronary arteries and blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. When the blood supply from these vessels is slowed down or ceases, the individual will most probably experience angina or a heart attack. High blood pressure occurs when the heart encounters a higher resistance in the blood vessels outside the heart. This results in the enlargement of the heart and thickening of the heart muscle. (Cohen 1992) These factors contribute to reduced efficiency in the cardiovascular system as the heart now requires more oxygen to function and strains its muscle. It also speeds up the process of atherosclerosis by driving blood fat and cholesterol into the blood vessel walls increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Heart failure occurs when the heart becomes excessively uncompromising or fatigued from working too hard, either because it must pump against too strong a resistance or because there has been a acquittance of heart