BRAINCAKESmoking and Atherosclerosis
Smoking is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis. Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, nicotine and many other chemicals, each of which raises the risk in a different way.
Carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin more readily than oxygen does, forming carboxyhaemoglobin. This reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, so the heart must beat faster to supply the tissues with enough oxygen. The extra work raises blood pressure.
Nicotine stimulates the release of the hormone adrenaline. Adrenaline increases heart rate and causes arterioles to constrict, which also raises blood pressure. Nicotine also makes platelets more sticky, so a blood clot (thrombosis) is more likely to form.
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Key terms in this lesson
- free radical
- A highly reactive atom or molecule with an unpaired electron, which can damage cells such as the endothelium.
- antioxidant
- A substance that prevents or reduces the damage to cells caused by free radicals.
More in Cardiovascular Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Risk
- Non-modifiable Risk Factors
- Modifiable Risk Factors
- Exercise and Atherosclerosis
- Weight and Atherosclerosis
- Stress and Atherosclerosis
- Diet and Atherosclerosis
All 20 lessons in Cardiovascular Diseases · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics