Not just lungs, tobacco silently damages the heart years before symptoms appear
Tobacco consumption, in any form, remains a significant cause of cardiovascular issues, silently weakening heart health long before visible symptoms.The stealthy effects of tobacco and its constituents trigger a series of changes within the cardiovascular system, laying the foundation for life-threatening conditions like a heart attack or stroke, years before any clinical signs become visible.India has one of the highest rates of smokeless tobacco use in the world. Unlike smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, snuff, and snus, are not burned. Instead, they are used orally or nasally, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth or nose.advertisement
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-17, 21.4% of Indian adults use smokeless tobacco, compared to 10.38% who use smoking tobacco. This indicates that nearly one in five adults in India consumes some form of smokeless tobacco, as highlighted by the National Health Mission.THE FIRST TARGETOne of the first targets of tobacco's harmful effects is the endothelium, a thin layer of cells lining the blood vessels. Chemicals mainly in cigarette smoke, like carbon monoxide, nicotine, and reactive oxygen species, affect the endothelium, reducing its ability to produce nitric oxide, which is essential for vessel relaxation and quality blood flow.This issue, called endothelial dysfunction, is one of the earliest changes in smokers that is detectable. Second-hand exposure to smoke can also contribute to the narrowing of arteries and set the stage for further vascular injury.advertisementINFLAMMATION AND OXIDATIVE STRESSA chronic inflammatory response in the body is triggered by tobacco smoke. The oxidative chemicals in smoke affect the expression of adhesion molecules on the walls of vessels, which causes the sticking of platelets and WBCs to the endothelium.
One of the first targets of tobacco's harmful effects is the endothelium, a thin layer of cells lining the blood vessels. ()
This not only promotes inflammation but also accelerates the uptake of Oxidised LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol by immune cells, transforming them into foam cells- a sign of the formation of early atherosclerotic plaque.Over time, these plaques increase and stiffen the arteries, silently increasing the chances of a heart attack and stroke.THE HIDDEN THREATThe delicate balance of the blood clotting system is also disrupted by smoking. It increases the concentration of fibrinogen, a type of protein involved in the formation of clots, and alters the platelet function, making blood thicker and stickier, and more likely to clot.These changes create a prothrombotic state, where clots form more easily and start blocking narrowed arteries, often with catastrophic consequences. The most concerning part here is that these alterations occur well before any symptoms of chest pain or breathlessness surface.advertisementTHE LIPID CHANGESTobacco chemicals, like nicotine, cause blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and heart rate.
Tobacco chemicals, like nicotine, cause blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and heart rate. ()
At the same time, the use of tobacco raises triglyceride levels and lowers HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, and both of these contribute to the buildup of arterial plaque.These alterations increase the workload of the heart very quietly in the body.THE SILENT PROGRESSIONCardiovascular damage done by tobacco is more alarming because of its stealth. Sometimes, years can pass before any sign emerges in the form of a heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac issue.By the time it is diagnosed, the damage is often awfully advanced or may be irreversible. However, studies have shown that quitting tobacco can somewhat halt or even reverse some of these changes, significantly reducing the risk of any fatal outcome.(Disclaimer: This is an authored article. The views and opinions expressed by the doctors are their independent professional judgement, and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views.)Must Watch
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