A steady supply of blood is needed for the heart to function effectively. Arteries are the expressways for blood cells, laden with oxygen, to reach all parts of the body. Smoking causes a build-up of fatty deposits in the artery walls and causes blood cells to stick to these walls and to each other. This narrowing of the arteries limits blood-flow and means that less oxygen is supplied to the body. If atherosclerosis narrows any of the heart's coronary blood vessels, this can lead to angina or a heart attack.
Tobacco smoking is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and nearly 40% of all the people who die from smoking die from heart, stroke or blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Research shows that both directly inhaled tobacco smoke and passively inhaled tobacco smoke increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
