Question

It is not uncommon to see a patient with peripheral vascular disease who is at the hospital for treatment/surgery outside in a designated smoking area smoking a cigarette. Do you think that they should be restricted from smoking due to their condition or should they be left alone to do as they please? What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Peripheral vascular disease is the blood circulation disorder which causes the blood vessels outside heart and barin to narrow, block and spasm. It is often caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis means fatty deposits on the artery walls.

I think smoking is a leading risk factor for peripheral vascular diseases. Smoking is very dangerous. The chemicals in smoke damage the blood vessels. This damage increases the risk for atherosclerosis.The chemicals of smoke cause the blood to thicken and form clots inside veins and arteries. It accelerates the vascular disease. If one stop smoking, they will get improved circulation, lower blood pressure and heart rate, better oxygen levels and lung function. Smoking causes swelling, redness and inflammation that leads to plaque forming.It restricts the blood flow. It also worsens other riskfactors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.