What Are the Most Common Diseases Caused by Smoking?
The American Heart Association reports cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the U.S. Smoking causes 2.4 million deaths a year.TypesCigarette smoke is deadly and contains more than 60 poisonous carcinogens. According to the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services and the National Cancer Institute, there are many diseases caused by smoking.AtherosclerosisSmoking causes atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque inside the arteries’ walls, which causes blood clots, hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke.PVDSmoking may also cause PVD, a disease of the veins and arteries, in which blood carried to the legs, arms, stomach and kidneys is restricted. This may result in the need for angioplasty surgery.Lung CancerThe National Cancer Institute reports that 30 percent of all cancers in US are caused by smoking. Eighty-seven percent of lung cancer deaths are smoking-related.Coronary Artery DiseaseCoronary artery disease is also caused by smo