Increased heart rate, lessened Oxygen supply: 7 immediate effects of smoking a single cigarette on the body

According to health experts, a single puff of cigarette smoke can trigger a cascade of immediate and harmful changes in the body, particularly affecting the cardiovascular system.

Here are key immediate changes after a single puff:

1. Increased Heart Rate: Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, releases adrenaline, causing the heart rate to spike within seconds to minutes.
2. Elevated Blood Pressure: Nicotine-induced constriction of blood vessels leads to higher blood pressure, straining the heart and elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Reduced Oxygen Supply: Carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke competes with oxygen for binding to hemoglobin, diminishing oxygen transport in the bloodstream and affecting tissues, including the heart muscle.
4. Irregular Heart Rhythms: Smoking can trigger irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation, raising the risk of stroke and other complications.
5. Blood Clots: Smoking alters platelet function and promotes plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the likelihood of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
6. Arterial Spasms: Severe spasms in coronary and other arteries can result from smoking, heightening blood pressure and stressing the heart.
7. Triggering Paralysis: The cumulative effects of smoking can lead to imbalances in blood supply and demand, causing heart attacks, heart failure, or even cardiac arrest, potentially leading to paralysis (stroke).

Also read: Bengaluru: Youth smoking rates rise despite awareness efforts

The immediate impact of just one cigarette underscores the significant long-term health risks faced by habitual smokers. Even minimal exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful, urging individuals to reconsider smoking for the sake of their cardiovascular health.