
Smoking and Heart Disease, Stroke, and Peripheral Artery Disease
Heart disease—including coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD)—remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., and smoking is a major driver behind it. Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes, while PAD often causes pain and weakness in the limbs. Smoking and even secondhand smoke damage blood vessels, raise triglycerides, lower good cholesterol, and make the blood