How Does Smoking Elevate LDL & HDL?
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Cholesterol
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Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance found in the bloodstream and in membranes of the body's cells. Cholesterol plays a vital role in manufacturing cell membranes and producing hormones and has various other functions. When too much cholesterol is present in the bloodstream, however, it can block your arteries and restrict blood flow to your heart and brain. This can lead to permanent damage to your vital organs or death. Cholesterol buildup is known as plaque. Plaque can accumulate, over the years, in the arteries of people who do not get enough exercise or have poor diets. Some people are genetically predisposed to having high cholesterol levels. Smoking tobacco greatly increases your chances of heart disease.
LDL
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Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as bad cholesterol. If there is too much LDL cholesterol in the blood, it will eventually cling to artery walls and make blood flow to the brain and heart difficult. Once plaques are created, a blood clot can happen. Blood clots block your blood flow and can result in a heart attack or stroke. According to the American Heart Association (AMA), 50 percent of heart disease is caused by high cholesterol. When you smoke, your LDL levels increase. By smoking, you inhale a toxin called acrolein. Acrolein is also used in pesticides and chemical weaponry. When inhaled, it stops your body from metabolizing cholesterol properly. When your body stops processing and utilizing cholesterol, the LDL type begins to build up in your bloodstream.
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HDL
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According to the AMA, one-quarter to one-third of cholesterol is made up of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is known as good cholesterol. Have high HDL levels will protect you from having a heart attack. HDL helps remove LDL from the arteries so LDL can be processed in the liver. Some researchers also think HDL decreases plaques. Smoking lowers HDL levels in your body. Without the proper HDL cholesterol to combat plaques and buildups, your LDL levels will rise. An increase in LDL levels makes you more susceptible to stroke or heart attack.
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