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

SMOKING AS A HEART DISEASE FACTOR - Essay physical exertionA direct link has been identified between lung cancer and tobacco smoking, as well as other links to respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema, and to coronary breast diseases (Pocket Dictionary of Biology 1999.) some(prenominal) clinical trials support these findings as well (Kunz1, Pechlaner, Ho, & Pfister 2005). Smoking increases the jeopardy of developing tit disease and is the spark advance cause of premature and preventable deaths in the United States alone (Cohen 1999). Smoking is a major risk factor for developing heart disease as it indirectly acts 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 take over oxygen, so the reduced surface area in the lungs results in an increased demand for oxygen by the lungs and other muscular organs and tissue. As a result of this increased demand, the heart has to work harder to repay for this imbalance. If this happens over a long period of time, the heart muscles will 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 hobby 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 line of merchandise vessels and artery hardening (Black 1992). Smoking raises course levels of fibrinogen which is a clotting agent that causes filiation 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 works harder. It as well constricts the coronary arteries which result s in less supply of blood and oxygen to the heart (Black 1992). However, it is important to be conscious(predicate) 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 more or less 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 knob of the heart muscle. (Cohen 1992) These factors contribute to reduced efficiency in the cardiovascular system as the heart presently 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 stiff or fatigued from working too hard, both because it must pump against too strong a resistance or because there has been a deviation of heart