Smoking in general is bad. But this doesn't mean that non-smokers are exempted from its dangers. It's a well-known fact that when you inhale someone else’s smoke, you may be at the risk of lung cancer yourself. That aside, a lesser-known fact is the harm caused by passive smoking to your heart. Although smoking is banned in public spaces in India, non-smokers are still exposed and inconvenienced by smokers, especially children living with parents who smoke.

Tobacco contains over 4,000 harmful chemical compounds, exposure to some of which can raise the risk to a certain disease by at least 30 percent. When these toxins enter into the system, the following occurs:

  • Your blood gets stickier

  • Cholesterol levels increaseInner lining of the blood vessels get damaged

  • Plaque develops along the walls of the blood vessels

  • Blood vessels stiffen and become narrower,reducing proper blood flow

  • Heart attack and stroke risks increase

  • Plaque in the blood vessels cause peripheral artery disease, leading to pain and numbness in the limbs

  • Blood pressure shoots up

  • Arteries fail to dilate, causing endothelial dysfunction

When a cigarette burns, carbon monoxide (CO) is produced; our red blood cells absorb the released CO much rapidly than they absorb oxygen. CO sticks to the blood cells that were meant to carry oxygen causing the heart to work harder than required. Secondhand smoke can not only cause an upsurge in cardiovascular risk in nonsmokers, but also increases the risk manifold as exposure increases.

How to Protect Yourself From Secondhand Smoke

  • If someone at home is a smoker, request them to move outside

  • Confined spaces like cars, small closed rooms, are more likely to get uncomfortably if someone is smoking in it, refrain from staying within that space

  • It is highly recommend avoiding secondhand smoke if you have been diagnosed with heart disease or have experienced a heart attack previously

Contrary to popular belief, lung cancer is not the only casualty of breathing in secondhand smoke. Its an important health concern since causes numerous problems in infants and children along with adults. People who already have heart diseases are at a higher risk of suffering from the adverse effects of breathing secondhand hand smoke. Even brief exposure can be catastrophic.

(This article has been contributed by Dr. Brajesh Kumar Kunwar, Interventional Cardiologist, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi -A Fortis Network Hospital for World No Tobacco Day)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 31, 2018 02:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).