Ana Maria Braga underwent surgery because she smoked; understand

The presenter had vascular problems due to smoking and needed surgery to unblock the veins in her legs.

Presenter Ana Maria Braga surprised viewers by revealing that she was once a smoker. In an appearance on Globo’s “Conversa com Bial” program, you said that you had decided to give up the habit in 2023. And that you had to undergo surgery at the end of last year due to smoking.

“I had blocked veins. All because of smoking! They put three stents in both legs and after eight months one was blocked and I still hadn’t stopped smoking”, revealed the presenter.

How smoking affects circulation

Venous vascular surgeon and angiologist Dr. Cristienne Souza reveals that the problem is quite common. “Smoking is a major risk factor for vascular disease. Nicotine, one of the main components of cigarettes, causes vasoconstriction. This increases resistance to blood flow and can increase blood pressure,” she explains.

According to her, cigarettes damage the endothelium, the inner layer of the arteries, facilitating the formation of atherosclerotic plaques that can obstruct blood flow and lead to serious conditions such as peripheral arterial occlusion, myocardial infarction and stroke.

Furthermore, smoking increases blood viscosity, increasing the risk of venous and arterial thrombosis. “The carbon monoxide present in cigarette smoke also reduces the blood’s ability to transport oxygen, exacerbating the effects of atherosclerosis,” adds the specialist.

Harmful effects of cigarettes

Cristienne points out that cigarettes negatively affect virtually every system in the body. In addition to the vascular problems already mentioned, smoking is directly linked to lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (such as COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and numerous other types of cancer (such as mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach).

“Cigarettes contain thousands of toxic chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer. Additionally, these substances increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, damaging normal cellular function and the immune system,” explains the expert.

The presenter also gave up coffee

Ana Maria Braga also revealed that, after health complications, she decided to replace coffee with water. According to Cristienne, the impact of coffee on vascular health is not as direct or severe as that of cigarettes. Despite this, caffeine can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure in sensitive people.

“However, studies show that moderate coffee consumption (3 to 4 cups a day) is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and may even have protective effects thanks to its antioxidants. But those sensitive to caffeine or those who already suffer from cardiovascular diseases may need to moderate their consumption”, warns the doctor.

He points out that replacing coffee with water is beneficial especially because adequate hydration is crucial for vascular health, as it helps maintain blood volume and reduce blood viscosity.

Prevention

Just as replacing coffee with water is an important preventative measure, there are other measures that preserve vascular health and the health of the entire organism, such as quitting smoking.

“Smoking cessation programs, medical and psychological support, the use of nicotine replacement and other supportive therapies can significantly help people stop addiction,” says the doctor.

According to her, it is important to highlight that smoking cessation brings significant and rapidly observable benefits to cardiovascular and general health.

“Within just 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your blood pressure and heart rate begin to return to more normal levels. Over time, your risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer decreases substantially. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as increasing blood ‘Water intake, improving diet and exercising regularly can complement the benefits of smoking cessation,’ concludes the vascular surgeon.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.