10 Symptoms Of High Cholesterol
7. Smoking
High cholesterol damages the walls of arteries by encouraging the build-up of plaque. As more plaque accumulates on the arterial walls, these blood passages become narrower and harder. Smoking contributes negatively to this by introducing chemicals into the blood vessels that encourage blood to thicken and clots to form.
These chemicals also cause inflammation and swelling in the blood vessels that promote more plaque buildup and result in even narrower blood passages. When combined with increased clots, it further increases the risk of coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Quitting smoking, alongside other lifestyle changes can help to reverse this damage and reduce the risk of a future health crisis.
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