Effects of Smoking
Every part of human body is affected by smoking. Arteries throughout the body are affected by the nicotine which comes into the body due to smoking. It increases the blood pressure and acts as a vasoconstrictor. Smoking is the cause for more than 30% of all the heart disease related deaths. 80 to 90% of chronic diseases like chronic mucus secretion, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are caused due to smoking. Smoking is also the cause of 90% of the deaths related to lung cancer.

How Smoking Affects Arteries?
Nicotine hardens the arteries which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. Hence, the blood pressure rises. Nicotine makes the heart pump 15-20 times more than usual and increases the risk of heart attacks. As the heart beats faster, more oxygen is required. But the presence of carbon monoxide in blood hinders the absorption of oxygen which adds superfluous loan on the heart. Studies have confirmed that the smoker's arteries are thinner and weaker than those of non-smokers. Smoking also subsidizes the buildup of plague in the main arteries of the body.

Smoking and Cholesterol 
Nicotine enters the body of the smoker when he/she smokes a cigarette. Cigarette smoke also contains carbon monoxide. These toxins increase the adhesive property of the blood cells. So, the blood cells stick to each other and form a blood clot inside the arteries. This prevents the heart from receiving pure blood. Smoking also reduces the levels of high density lipoprotein which is the compound responsible for getting rid of fatty deposits from arteries. In the absence of high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein increases in the body. This results in narrowing of arteries. Hardening of the arteries is medically known as atherosclerosis. Smoking also increases the risk of brain injury clot up to 400%.

Cardiovascular Diseases
Smoking is the main reason of increase in the number of cases of coronary heart diseases. 30% of heart related deaths are due to smoking. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and increases risk of peripheral vascular disease. This leads to blocking the large arteries in limbs. The consequences of this blockage are dreadful as they may lead to amputation. Smoking also causes swelling of the aorta, which runs through the abdomen. This condition is medically termed as abdominal aortic aneurysm. The probability of blood clot is also high for smokers. Smoking increases the risk of ischemic stroke by nearly two times.

How can you prevent it?
The best way to prevent any smoking related disease is to stop smoking. Smokers find it very hard to quit smoking due to the addictive nature of nicotine. Smokers who quit smoking find it very difficult to resist the craving for a cigarette in the first few months. Restlessness and impatience are common among people who just quit smoking. However, after the first few months, the body starts to heal and smokers can be back to normal. Educating the youth is the only way to prevent people from getting addicted to smoking.