1. It narrows the vessels responsible for getting blood where it needs to go.
Blood vessels are the delivery network for the entire body. Inhaling chemicals can trigger vasoconstriction, vessels narrowing instead of opening fully. Over time it can also damage the vessel lining, make blood stickier and add to plaque buildup. Narrower, less flexible vessels leave less room for blood to do its job.
What the evidence says: the CDC lists thickening and narrowing of blood vessels, damage to vessel-lining cells, stickier blood and plaque buildup among the cardiovascular effects of sm0king.