Fact 13: Smoking Increases the Risk of Small Vessel Disease
Smoking is a well-documented risk factor for numerous health conditions, and small vessel disease is no exception. This harmful habit wreaks havoc on the cardiovascular system in various ways, from elevating blood pressure to damaging the lining of blood vessels. Such effects can lead to the development and progression of small vessel disease.
Smoking leads to the introduction of numerous toxic substances into the bloodstream. These toxins can damage the endothelium, the delicate inner lining of blood vessels. This damage sets the stage for atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up in the arteries, leading to their hardening and narrowing. When this occurs in the small vessels, it results in small vessel disease.
Furthermore, smoking contributes to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often termed ‘bad cholesterol’. High LDL levels can lead to further buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. Moreover, smoking reduces the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or ‘good cholesterol’, which normally helps remove LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream.
Moreover, nicotine, a key ingredient in tobacco, causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, both of which increase the strain on the circulatory system. This, in turn, increases the risk of small vessel disease, as well as other cardiovascular diseases.
Given the strong association between smoking and small vessel disease, quitting smoking is one of the most effective measures an individual can take to reduce their risk of SVD. The benefits of smoking cessation can be seen regardless of how long a person has been smoking. Upon quitting, the risk of cardiovascular disease begins to decrease and continues to decline over time.(13)
