Cardiovascular diseases are diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease caused by smoking is the largest cause of premature death in industrialised societies, killing even more people than lung cancer.

Smoking causes atherosclerosis, in which the lining of the arteries becomes narrowed and rough, making it difficult for the blood to flow freely and easily. When this happens, total or partial blockages occur and many life threatening diseases and conditions result.

The cardiovascular diseases caused by smoking include coronary heart disease (heart attacks, angina), peripheral vascular disease (blockages in the legs) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke).

Coronary Heart Disease

In 1984, 9,470 Australians (6,035 men and 3,435 women) died from coronary heart disease because they smoked.

A smoker's risk of coronary heart disease increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day, the total number of years the smoker has smoked and the degree to which smoke is inhaled.

Female smokers who use contraceptive pills are 39 times more likely to suffer a coronary heart attack than female non-smokers.

Smoking cessation is beneficial, even after cardiovascular disease has developed. Smokers who stop smoking after they survive their first heart attack greatly reduce their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Cerebrovascular Disease

In 1984, 2,188 Australian (686 men and 1,502 women) died from strokes because they smoked.

Smokers are more likely to develop a cerebral thrombosis [stroke] than non-smokers.

Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage [a form of stroke] is more common in smokers, especially women who also take the contraceptive pill.

Female smokers who use contraceptive pills are up to 22 times more likely to suffer a stroke than female non-smokers who do not use contraceptive pills.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

In 1984, 2,068 Australians (1,075 men and 993 women) died from peripheral vascular disease because they smoked.

In Australia there are almost 800 (798) limbs amputated each year due to peripheral vascular disease caused by smoking.

More than 90% of people who suffer from intermittent claudication - the pain associated with atherosclerosis or PVD in the legs - have smoked at least 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years or more. Very few are lifelong non-smokers.

Thromboangiitis Obliterans or Buerger's Disease is a rare form of PVD, which is virtually always due to heavy smoking. Few sufferers are able to stop smoking and many of them have multiple operations, leading to the amputation of both legs.

Smokers who suffer peripheral vascular disease and continue to smoke are more likely to develop gangrene than smokers who quit smoking after being diagnosed as having peripheral vascular disease.

Aneurysm

A weakness in the wall of an artery leads to a balloon-like swelling called an aneurysm. Aneurysms may eventually cause the affected artery to burst or clot, resulting in death or severe illness. Smokers are up to eight times more likely to die from a ruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta than non-smokers.

More than 90% of people who suffer from an aortic aneurysm have smoked at least 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years or more. Very few are lifelong non-smokers.