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Atherosclerosis Research Papers

Decent Essays

Brief Introduction (max 200 words)

Although it was believed for a long time that second-hand smoke only affects smokers, since the early 1980s it has been known that non-smoking family members of smokers have twice the risk of experiencing heart attacks than those in non-smoking households. Consequently, people living and working in environments that contain second-hand smoke suffer coronary heart diseases (CHD) due to the toxic substances of tobacco smoke.

Key concepts (max 500 words)
Second-hand smoke (SHS) consists of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. SHS contains more than 7,000 chemicals and more than 200 of these are known poisons, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and methyl isocyanate. …show more content…

Due to the plaque, arteries become narrower, slowly blocking the blood flow and causing increased risks of CHD. When the artery narrows and blood flow is reduced, the oxygen supply is decreased. Most of the time a blood clot forms and blocks the artery, thus stopping the blood flow. If the oxygen supply to the heart is reduced, a heart attack can occur. If the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off, a stroke can occur. Therefore SHS accelerates atherosclerosis in the arteries and aorta and the toxic substances in the smoke that builds up in the arteries, results in increased risks of getting cardiovascular diseases.
When someone smokes indoors, the smoke cannot be kept away by opening a window or using a fan. In fact, research shows that toxins from smoke remain in a person’s hair and clothes and the surrounding environment. These toxins, are hazardous to infants and children.
The only way to avoid the risks of smoke is to avoid places where smoking occurs. That can be done by making sure family, friends, and visitors never smoke inside your house or vehicle, thus helping to keep the house smoke-free by. Choose to eat in restaurants that are smoke-free as non-smoking sections do not provide protection from secondhand

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