How does smoking affect my cholesterol?

Answer: Smoking has several harmful effects on cholesterol. Smoking reduces HDL ("good") cholesterol and in all likelihood changes LDL ("bad") cholesterol to a form that promotes the buildup of deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries. In addition, smoking has harmful effects on the heart and blood vessels. In these ways, smoking substantially raises the risk for coronary heart disease if you are healthy and multiplies that risk many more times if you have other risk factors such as high blood cholesterol. All in all, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death.

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