Nicotine

Smoking 18: Atherosclerosis – Blood vessel occlusion

Because the red blood cells are contaminated with carbon monoxide, they can absorb less oxygen when passing through the lungs. The body herefore needs extra red blood cells. This makes the blood somewhat thicker.

This thicker blood flows more slowly through the narrowed blood vessels. This gives platelets more opportunity to form blood clots.

If a blood clot gets lodged between the fat deposits that narrow a blood vessel that can completely block the vessel. The blood can no longer get through. The cells that previously received blood from that blood vessel will die from a lack of oxygen.