Not many will argue that from an emotional standpoint women aren’t different than men. Otherwise we wouldn’t have this "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" mentality, right? Well the differences between men and women also carry over into physical health. There are certain conditions where women are more at risk then men. Smoking is one of them.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), smoking causes greater risks for women than men. The difference isn’t just gender-oriented either. When compared to non-smoking women, women who smoke were found to have a risk six times as high for having a heart attack. In fact, cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing a number of chronic disorders, including fatty buildups in arteries, several types of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or lung problems

So, what happens exactly when you smoke that causes so much hype from doctors and health organizations? According to the AHA, cigarette smoke causes the heart to be under additional strain because it makes the blood vessels become smaller. When the vessels aren’t as they should be, the work it takes for the heart to do its job is more difficult. Smoking causes your heart to beat faster, making your blood pressure increase and your blood flow decrease. It also increases the level of carbon monoxide in your blood. This means that your heart and other tissues aren’t getting the amount of oxygen they need to function properly. Over time, the heart and body aren’t able to keep up under these conditions, which cause all sorts of problems, even death. That’s the reason for the hype. A pretty good one.

As if the effects of smoking alone weren’t enough reason, there is more. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing chronic disorders such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (clogged arteries), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (lung problems), various cancers and coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. According to the AHA, all of these disorders increase in risk for women who smoke and who use oral contraceptives at the same time. In addition, women who smoke and use oral contraceptives are also at a greater risk for stroke.

Listen to the facts. Educate yourself on the effects of smoking. Talk to your doctor about your health, your risks and how to quit smoking. By not taking action you may become one of the 440,000 people who die from smoking every year. Whether you’re from Mars or Venus, that’s a statistic you want to avoid.