For many smokers, the damage caused by cigarettes can feel distant, something that may only happen years down the line. But health experts say the body starts reacting within minutes of lighting up.
As South Africa marks World No Tobacco Day on May 31, doctors and health specialists are warning that smoking is not only a long-term health risk, but an immediate strain on the heart and blood vessels every single time a cigarette is smoked.
According to Pharma Dynamics, each cigarette triggers a rapid cardiovascular stress response almost instantly, increasing heart rate, blood pressure and the heart’s demand for oxygen.
It is expained that when nicotine enters the bloodstream, it stimulates the release of adrenaline, causing blood vessels to narrow and forcing the heart to work harder. At the same time, carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen efficiently.
Experts say this creates a dangerous cycle repeated throughout the day for regular smokers.
