about 30% of all deaths from heart disease in the u. s. are directly related to cigarette smoking. smoking is a major cause of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. among other things the nicotine present in smoke causes: decreased oxygen to the heart. increased blood pressure and heart rate. increase in blood clotting. damage to cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels triggering atherosclerosis and heart disease.
what's the link between smoking and heart disease?