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One of the effects of smoking is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis may further lead to a lot of other complications.

Atherosclerosis is the deposit of fat called plaques on the walls of the arteries. Over a long period of time the deposit of cholesterol, fat and smooth muscle cells that line the arteries become thick and get transformed into a calcified mass called atheroma. Atheroma makes the arteries hard and narrow as a result of which there is a reduction in blood flow through the blood vessels.

Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms for a long time while the arteries continue to become harder and narrower. But when the artery is damaged due to excessive deposition of fat there can be a number of complications. The fatty deposits may cause the arteries to rupture which might lead to a clot that can block an artery and stop the blood supply. Depending on the location of the block the smoker might suffer from a stroke, angina or a heart attack. A blood clot in any area of the brain may lead to stoppage of oxygen supply which may further lead to paralysis affecting one side of the body. This is called Ischemic stroke. When a brain artery affected by Atherosclerosis ruptures, there can be considerable brain damage. The other effects are reduced heart function, swelling in some of the arteries, high blood pressure and renal failure in the kidneys.

The main reasons that lead to Atherosclerosis are smoking, high blood pressure, a family history of Atherosclerosis, diabetes, excess weight, high fat diet, high alcohol intake or a sedentary lifestyle. One should try ways to stop smoking and get rid of this habit.