Ive been a smoker for 10 years, but Ive recently cut down. Am I still at risk for heart disease?
Smoking is a major risk not just for heart disease, but for all of your health. Stop now! There is no safe amount.. Smoking causes a buildup of fatty substances in the arteries called atherosclerosis. When this occurs the walls of the arteries thicken and deposits of fat and plaque block the flow of blood through the arteries. In coronary artery disease, the arteries that supply blood to the heart become severely narrowed, decreasing the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This causes extra strain on the heart and doubles your risk of cardiovascular disease.
