Cardiologists say this bad habit increases the risk of cardiovascular disease

Smoking tobacco in any form is very harmful to the heart, causing cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the long run. Passive smoking is also extremely dangerous.

According to the British Heart Foundation, the chemicals contained in cigarettes make the walls of the arteries sticky. Because of this, they are at increased risk of accumulating fatty material that can clog the artery and reduce blood flow throughout the body.

"If, for example, blood circulation is restricted to the heart, a heart attack follows; if blood is blocked to the brain, a stroke occurs," the experts explained.

They also noted that smoking not only causes clogged arteries but can also increase the likelihood of a fatal blood clot.

"Inhaling smoke during secondhand smoke is also extremely dangerous because you may have breathing problems," the cardiologists emphasized.

They noted that each cigarette contains about 4000 chemicals, most of which are toxic and harmful to the health of both individual organs and the body as a whole.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) noted that "it's never too late to quit smoking". They also emphasized that if you make a decision to give up cigarettes once and for all, you can feel the effect in a few hours.

"After just 20 minutes of quitting, blood pressure will start to return to normal. After one year of smoking cessation, the risk of heart attack or stroke is halved," the experts said.

They also emphasized that by giving up cigarettes, a person will additionally receive fresh breath, whiter teeth, rejuvenated skin, more energy, stronger immunity, and increased sex drive.