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Smoking and Vascular Disease Don't Mix
If you think smoking causes only
lung cancer, think again. "Smoking
has a major effect on your heart
and blood vessels," says Rainier
Aquino, M.D., a vascular surgeon
affiliated with Ocean Medical Center.
"In fact, smoking is the biggest risk
factor for vascular diseases."
The vascular system is your body's
network of blood vessels. "Smoking
causes sticky plaque to form in the
arteries, damaging circulation
throughout the body," explains
Dr. Aquino.
When blood flow is limited, vascular
diseases may develop. Here are
three serious vascular diseases:
- Carotid artery stenosis (CAS).
Your carotid arteries are two large
blood vessels in your neck. "With
CAS, these arteries become weak
and narrow," says Dr. Aquino. CAS
is a leading cause of stroke, which
occurs when a blood clot sticks in the narrowed arteries and blood
can't reach your brain.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD
affects blood flow in the arteries, usually
in the legs. It often causes pain or
discomfort in the legs. In very severe
cases, the leg may have to be amputated.
Smokers have at least four times
the risk of nonsmokers to get PAD.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
An aneurysm is a "ballooning" in an
artery wall. An AAA occurs in the wall
of the aorta, the largest blood vessel in
the body. "Left untreated, an AAA can
grow and ultimately burst," cautions
Dr. Aquino. "This causes dangerous
bleeding that can be lethal."
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Some risk factors for vascular
diseases are beyond your control.
For example, you're more likely to
develop a vascular disease as you
age. However, taking these steps will
keep your risk lower:
- Quit smoking.
- Eat a low-salt, low-fat diet.
- Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Maintain good cholesterol levels.
- Keep your blood pressure in the normal range.
- Work with your doctor to determine the best way to manage your vascular health.
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